Hey loves!
Emma here, your resident pink tutu enthusiast and time-traveling fashionista, ready to take you on another whirl through the world of leotard history! It's time for my monthly journey into the archives of dancewear and this month, we're turning back the clock to a date with a whole lot of drama and… leotard drama! Join me as we step back to the 4th of April 1917, a time when the world was facing a war, and the world of ballet was experiencing a fascinating twist in its wardrobe.
Oh, did I mention? My magic time-traveling leotard has been absolutely gleaming this month. All sparkly and pink – just like my dreams! I managed to slip on a stunning shade of flamingo pink this time, with delicate sequined embellishments that truly shimmered under the stage lights in 1917! It truly was the perfect way to take a sartorial voyage through the era of flapper dresses and the dawn of the modern dance scene!
I landed smack-bang in the heart of London – a whirlwind of motorcars and roaring jazz! And my word, was it exciting! Everywhere I looked, ladies were dressed to the nines in beautiful gowns with elegant drop waists. And even in 1917, the fashion scene was absolutely buzzing with an experimental edge. Bobbed hairstyles were starting to catch on, and skirts were getting shorter, showing off a hint of ankle and the odd pair of knee-high stockings!
Oh, but before we go diving into all things leotard history, I must confess that I absolutely cannot resist a spot of shopping. So, I popped into Liberty's, London’s legendary department store, for a browse. Now, this wasn’t any ordinary shopping spree, this was a true “leotard safari” if you will! They had exquisite gowns – everything from swirling silk chiffon to beautiful floral patterns! I couldn’t help but imagine what those stunning fabrics would look like translated into a beautiful leotard. My heart truly skipped a beat when I saw these intricate fabrics and realised just how much influence fashion held on leotard design at the time!
However, even though I was all glammed up in my 1917 street fashion, the heart of my visit was truly focused on ballet. It wasn’t long before I found myself at the Covent Garden Opera House – it truly felt like stepping into history itself. That iconic stage…it truly held a special kind of magic. The energy of a thousand performances still felt tangible within the walls. But the true revelation was the dancing.
The choreography was absolutely mesmerizing. So captivating and delicate, even for the time. They really showed the true je ne sais quoi of that period. Now, let’s talk leotards! Believe me, they were absolutely unlike what we are used to seeing today. * In 1917, ballet leotards were very different from modern dancewear. Imagine – *a lightweight silk slip under a full length ballet skirt! That’s how a dancer's basic outfit would have been styled! It would be quite hard to envision this on the stage of today. The silks had some delicate embellishments – ribbons, lace... Think romantic Victorian styling. A full circle skirt was also a huge trend at the time. The dancers looked absolutely divine in those exquisite flowing fabrics. They were not your typical 'everyday leotard’ but it truly spoke of the beauty of the artistry and fashion of the time.
But that wasn't all, loves! The true magic of 1917 lay not just in the leotard fashion, but in the ground-breaking dance performances. Anna Pavlova, a real trailblazer in the world of ballet, was performing in London around this time! Oh, can you even imagine how glorious her performance must have been?! With her light-as-a-feather movements and captivating grace, she set a new standard for elegance and artistic brilliance in ballet. I truly regret missing out on one of her shows…
However, my trip was far from over, because, well, where there's leotard fashion, there must be theatrical performances! As I wandered down to The Gaiety Theatre, I caught a glimpse of something truly extraordinary. The musical ‘The Girl from Utah’, starring George Robey, was taking the stage, filled with songs, dance, and laughs – pure, unadulterated theatrical brilliance. And yes, you guessed it, I even saw some *spectacular leotard-style costumes worn by the dancers. They certainly weren't just silk slips anymore – there were sequins, feathers, *and *tulle – all making for an incredibly beautiful spectacle on the stage.*
Honestly, you guys, it was such a captivating experience. The world in 1917 was brimming with innovation and creativity – especially in the fashion scene! It was so inspiring to see how even during a challenging time, dance, fashion and entertainment were a source of joy and inspiration for so many.
You know me and my tutu obsessions, though… So I couldn’t leave without visiting a couple of costume suppliers! I just couldn’t resist checking out what was considered the "in thing" for leotards during the era. I discovered amazing patterns and designs from historical patterns which I am going to have to adapt into something totally* unique!
You know, this whole trip to the past really inspired me! I found that it's okay to mix and match styles, especially when you are putting a spin on vintage dancewear. This is my ultimate inspiration for redefining modern-day dance fashion! My dear readers, I will have some shockingly stunning fashion news on my www.pink-tutu.com blog about some of my most creative interpretations of leotard history – think vintage meets street-style fashion.
And so, another time-traveling adventure is complete! My heart is filled with the beauty of dance and fashion in 1917. This inspiration has to be channeled – so prepare for some fabulous leotard magic soon, ladies!
As always, I hope this little trip through time has brought a spark of joy and excitement to your own day!
Until next time,
Emma XOXO
PS Keep your eyes peeled on www.pink-tutu.com for my special leotard collection that brings historical fashion and modern design together. You won't want to miss it!
