Hello darlings! Emma here, back from another whirlwind trip through time! It’s the third of March 1918 today and I must tell you, the world was a different place back then. Less glitter, much less pink! Don't get me wrong, the ladies were absolutely chic – the fashion was fantastic in its own way – but it felt a little lacking in the tutu department! Just imagine, my dears, no one has even heard of the term 'leotard'! Such a tragedy, truly. But we’re here to change that, aren’t we?
Oh, how I love this journey! Just think, every month I zip around the globe in my sparkly pink time-traveling leotard and tell you all about the magical world of leotard history. You're reading my adventures, right here, on Pink Tutu! Remember, the mission is clear: pink tutus for everyone! And my lovely readers, it seems my efforts are already making a difference! Just last week I spotted a young girl in New York City rocking a pink tulle skirt and a little ballet-inspired dress, all while prancing about on her tippy-toes! See, it's already happening!
Today, we're taking a trip back to a period that is fascinatingly familiar and yet remarkably different: 1918. Think Downton Abbey with a side of war-time rations and dancing soldiers, and you're in the ballpark.
Speaking of soldiers, what’s interesting about this time is how dance, despite the looming shadow of conflict, held an almost mystical allure for the men on the battlefield. Ballet was considered an intensely passionate and emotional art form – think about it, with all that tutus swirling about, what else could you expect? And, in a world where reality was shrouded in grey, those who fought craved moments of escapism, a touch of joy, a sprinkle of… pink!
Now, ladies, imagine the thrill of seeing the elegant figure of Anna Pavlova on stage. The graceful lines of her dances, her famous swan costume (pink, by the way!), would have sent a chill down the spine and sparked a glimmer of hope in even the toughest of soldiers.
However, don't think I'm suggesting everyone in 1918 had a taste for tutu! It was the early 20th century, darling, and in those days the world wasn't quite ready for a pink tutu takeover. We have a long way to go! The typical dress of the day was quite conservative: skirts reaching the ankles, and even those daring 'hobble' skirts with their tighter fitting style didn't even touch the revolutionary world of the leotard. The world of leotard fashion just didn't exist yet, just waiting for a visionary, and what else is more visionary than pink tutus!
The women's gym clothing of 1918, which generally consisted of simple bloomers and loose shirts, was all about practicality and comfort. While far from being fashionable, it's actually rather inspiring - it paved the way for those pioneering women who dared to experiment with movement, both literally and figuratively. They were the trailblazers, my dears, the first seeds of change planted! It just shows how, just as those gym-going women challenged expectations of their time, so can we!
One thing I will say though is that 1918 women had amazing hats! My time machine actually gave me the hiccups trying to pack all of my vintage treasures in amidst the abundance of amazing hats! So many colors and designs - real artistry there, which in its own way reminds us that fashion can indeed have a captivating, whimsical feel to it. It just needed a little something...like a big dose of pink!
The time was certainly ripe for some changes to the dance fashion. You can bet that this was certainly something I pointed out, while doing some street performances - I taught the local kids some simple tutus and twirls, it's all part of my pink tutus for the world campaign! It went down a treat! One thing I loved in 1918 was the general spirit of people and a real willingness to take things a bit less seriously. Everyone loves a little bit of fancy dress! I had a fabulous time teaching these wonderful people all about my own favourite thing in the world – the tutu! They weren't too convinced about pink, though I did try to push a pink feather boa for a bit of 'modernity' and they really loved that!
Even though the pink tutu revolution didn't truly sweep the world this time around, the spirit of progress was definitely in the air in 1918, much like the current day! People craved beauty, freedom, and a sense of optimism – it was that same kind of atmosphere that helped inspire some of the most important breakthroughs in dance and fashion. So, ladies, keep twirling, keep shining, and remember: the world is waiting for you! And the pink tutus? Well, they're coming… you've got the pink tutus for the world!
Now, off to try to track down my vintage hat collection that seems to have gone missing, just one of the challenges of being a travelling tutu enthusiast, but the rewards are so worth it!
Until next month! Emma x
