Hello fellow fashionistas! It's Emma here, your Pink Tutu Time Travelling Correspondent, reporting live from – wait for it! - 1914! This month's adventure has brought me to the bustling, fashion-forward streets of Paris, and my oh my, the leotard scene is absolutely blooming! I’m writing this from my secret hiding place, tucked away in a chic Parisian café, surrounded by the fragrant scent of coffee and freshly baked croissants. Let me tell you, it’s been a whirlwind of a day already!
Before we dive into the fabulous leotard trends of 1914, I just have to share my most recent Parisian performance! I set up shop in the heart of the city, outside the grand opera house. Let me tell you, Parisian audiences are simply divine. I debuted my latest “Street Ballet Spectacular” routine, and the applause was thunderous! I was adorned in a bespoke, hot pink tutu, dazzling the crowd with my graceful moves. After my performance, the most fabulous thing happened! I was approached by a talented designer who actually wanted to make me a bespoke leotard for my future performances. You heard that right! Bespoke! In the midst of my busy time-travelling schedule, I must schedule some shopping in! It's going to be difficult to say “no” to a leotard, especially when it is bespoke!
But let’s get back to leotards! Back in 1914, leotards were in their prime. Think classic, understated beauty with a touch of athleticism! Leotards were typically made of silky satin or delicate chiffons, clinging to the curves and showcasing a refined grace, reminiscent of the beautiful ballerinas of the era. Think delicate ruffles and frills around the neckline, giving them a soft touch, a touch of elegance, like an enchanting waltz. Leotards were generally knee-length, though some bolder designs ventured towards a shorter length.
In the realm of leotard colours, we find the elegance of midnight blue and the allure of soft ivory taking center stage. However, one color dominated the leotard world in 1914: a soft, blush pink. Pink, my fellow tutu enthusiasts, was THE IT colour, bringing a gentle glow and romantic air to the world of ballet. Imagine the stage adorned with a delicate sea of soft pink – heavenly!
But the real standout leotards of this era were, believe it or not, made in the UK! My dear Derbyshire home was famous for the exquisitely crafted leotards made in our workshops. The silk and lace details? Absolutely phenomenal. And for those of you interested in shopping for 1914 leotards, the “Harrods Leotard Emporium,” right here in London, is the place to be.
While on the topic of shopping, it is a fashion lover’s paradise here. From the latest fashion houses to bespoke tailoring boutiques, you truly could get lost for hours, let alone days, simply admiring the trends of this time. A favourite shop here in Paris is called ‘Le Bon Marché’, just a short jaunt from the bustling Louvre. If you get chance to pop in, you must get yourself a traditional, long, pink feather boa - a true Parisian leotard accessory for a night at the ballet. It’s such a joy to walk around, and to observe all the fabulous garments, it truly makes me appreciate just how much leotard and fashion design has evolved through the ages!
However, 1914 was a world on the verge of something monumental - and unfortunately, this beautiful era in leotard design was not to last much longer. The rise of the First World War would quickly turn the attention to other matters. Still, what remains of 1914 fashion – the delicate embroidery, the softness, the femininity – these are the beautiful hallmarks that leotard designers continue to revisit, reminding us of the timeless charm of the leotard era of 1914.
And as I’m typing away in this fabulous café, the sound of the opera’s grand entrance music floats in through the open window. The magic of the ballet continues to inspire, the music, the dancing – a wonderful tribute to the beauty of ballet and leotards! It’s an absolutely glorious symphony of emotions that can only be experienced in the midst of this beautiful Parisian city!
So, fellow time-travelling tutu-lovers, I must jet off now. But don’t forget, remember the leotards and their stories, for they’re much more than just fabric – they’re expressions of passion, creativity, and most importantly, they bring us together, tutu lovers, across time and continents, in this enchanting journey we call leotard fashion!
And remember my tutu-wearing friends: keep wearing pink tutus, stay fabulously fashionable, and happy time-traveling!
Until next month!
Yours, Emma
The Pink Tutu Time Travelling Correspondent
www.pink-tutu.com
