Hello my darling leotard lovers!
It's Emma here, back with another juicy peek into the world of leotard fashion! This time, weâre zipping back to February 2nd, 1918, a date that was oh-so-glamourous for those in the know! Letâs shimmy into our sparkly pink time travel leotard, twirl once, and jump through time!
A Day at the Hippodrome: A Ballet Ball Gown Sensation
This past February 2nd, I waltzed right into the heart of the Hippodrome in New York City. A magical theatre, a magnificent setting for my very own âleotard-fashion-travelâ odyssey. Imagine, my dears, a grand, glittering ball with every woman in a beautiful and extravagant ball gown with flowing skirts!
Now, some of you might say, âEmma, why did you travel back to 1918? What about leotards? Where is the tight-fitting spandex wonderment we all adore today?"
Oh my loves! Leotards are the backbone of everything! It all started somewhere, and 1918 saw the birth of ballet-inspired fashions, with a new look at the very heart of how we define our clothing today. You see, before this point, the ball gown reigned supreme. Imagine being stuck in all those layers! Oh, the dream of freedom of movement!
Introducing the 'Bloomer' : Leotard's Grandmamma?
This time, instead of tights, the fashionable ladies of 1918 were flaunting a more âliberatedâ style: the âbloomerâ, a baggy pant-like garment worn beneath a flowing skirt. Now, we might be used to leggings and leotards with a little bit more leg room than your traditional bloomer, but the bloomers of this era provided the ladies with a sense of âfreedom of movement". It was like the dawn of our era - a new vision of what dancewear could be. Imagine the revolutionary change it represented for dancing at that time. The flowing skirts? Gone! A sense of lightness and agility. Oh, itâs all such a beautiful dance, isn't it?
Bloomer in Action : The Stage Beckons
My travels in 1918 New York had me swooning at the Ziegfeld Follies, a glamorous extravaganza full of song, dance and âFollies girls" strutting their stuff on the stage. I had the pleasure of witnessing their "bloomers" in action - these bold women dancing their hearts out with a brand new kind of ease that only came with their revolutionary clothing!
Dance, Dance, Dance - What a Celebration
This was an era where women could express themselves through motion and flair â think of it like the first step towards our current leotard evolution. We are blessed today to have freedom of movement.
You might ask: "How can we honour this fascinating time in leotard fashion? â Well, darlings, next time you put on your favourite leotard, imagine the freedom and rebellion of those early dancers! You are a part of a glorious fashion timeline.
Now, let's dive a little deeper into the magic of ballet and street performances â itâs truly what fuels my passion for leotards!
Balletâs Majestic Glamour - A True Love Affair
My heart skipped a beat during my visit to the Hippodrome. You just canât replicate that feeling when ballet steps off the stage and into the heart of the everyday world. Ballet dancers today are masters of movement and artistry. The fluidity, the grace, the strength! The way each twirl is artfully composed â it takes me back to my own time on stage, when I danced in every street performance in Derbyshire.
Oh, but my love affair with ballet began long ago! As a young lass, I loved visiting the majestic Sadlerâs Wells Theatre in London - it still remains my absolute favourite place in the whole world! Every visit feels like stepping into an enchanted fairy tale! The artistry and technical prowess that ballet brings to the stage is simply divine. Itâs more than just a show, darling, it's an experience that transforms and inspires.
Taking the Stage, Pink Tutu in Hand
My passion for street dance took me from my cosy home in Derbyshire to the bustling streets of London. There was a magic about grabbing my pink tutu and dancing in public! The audience was just a breath away and my audience always received me with joy, encouragement and applause! I remember the first time I saw a group of young people gathered round to enjoy my performance. I knew then, right in my heart, that I was dancing for more than just the thrill. I was dancing to spark joy, happiness and inspire others. Every time I took the stage in my beloved pink tutu, it was like a story unfolding â a tale of expression and sheer passion.
And the pink tutu? My trusty travel companion - always there, always radiant! My darling readers, I believe we all need something in our lives that reminds us of magic and beauty. We must always stay connected to that sense of pure joy, like my very own leotard!
So, when I set out on another time-traveling journey next month, know that I'll be carrying this inspiration with me, and you will be there right alongside me, each of you shining in your very own way.
Let's embrace the beauty and grace in every pirouette and every leotard! And never, ever, forget to live, love, dance!
Lots of love and sparkly twirls,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
