Hello darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, Pink Tutu Time Travels! This month, I'm whisking us back to January 1st, 1919, just after the world war had ended. It feels like a whole different world back then, but fashion? Fashion is a timeless language, a language that connects us across the ages!
My magical pink leotard shimmered as I touched down in a bustling London street. A symphony of clanging trams, hurried footfall, and horse-drawn carriages filled the air. Everyone was dressed in their Sunday best. I was already feeling a tad peckish from the journey, and oh my, could those tempting aromas of fish and chips coming from a street vendor tantalise my senses! I just knew that a spot of lunch would have to be on my schedule, followed by some fabulous leotard shopping, of course.
My sparkly leotard felt right at home amidst the beautiful fabrics of 1919 London. Women were starting to break away from the rigid, dark, and utilitarian silhouettes of wartime clothing. Thankfully, the "flapper" fashion had arrived on the scene, a roaring rebellion against restrictive styles!
In the world of leotard fashion, well, things were a tad more reserved, a little more practical, if you will. There was no shortage of lovely, comfy leotards to be seen at the ballet studio. I simply couldn't resist adding a touch of my signature pink with some beautiful hand-stitched embroidery to a pristine white cotton leotard. A real fashion coup, if you ask me!
My afternoon took me to the iconic Savoy Theatre. It was simply stunning, a theatre oozing with glamour and history, and tonight it hosted the London premiere of "The Happy Town," a charming musical revue starring the one and only Fred Astaire. This man was the ultimate embodiment of dapper charm and a dance extraordinaire! I simply had to capture him in my Pink Tutu Time Travels blog. I'll be honest, dear readers, my attempts at striking up a conversation with him weren't met with a lot of success! He must have thought I was some crazy, pink-clad eccentric from the future. You can imagine my disappointment. Nevertheless, his presence inspired me and lit up my creative imagination.
One thing that stuck with me was the stunning ensemble of the female chorus in “The Happy Town.” They sported these gorgeous black leotards with glittering sequins embellishing the neckline. A touch of rebellious glitz to bring a dash of sophistication and excitement. It got me thinking... Why wouldn’t ballet wear have more sparkle? And wouldn't black leotards be the perfect canvas for pink sequins? After all, pink is an exceptional neutral in any fashion ensemble, wouldn't you agree?
As I finished my delightful cup of tea and cakes at a local tea room, the sun was just starting to set, and the lights of the city were twinkling in the night. What a day it was! I felt so incredibly inspired and energised. It was then I noticed an elderly woman gazing at me with an intrigued smile as I hopped back into my pink, sparkly leotard. She came over to me, with her face lit by a soft, friendly glow.
"I love your colours, dear," she told me, her eyes filled with a youthful sparkle. “Don’t stop being bold and bright, my dear!” Her words were like music to my ears! A beautiful sentiment echoed across the centuries! The pink leotard zipped closed, a flash of pink light, and I was back in Derbyshire, safe and sound!
It was clear that the journey into the world of leotard fashion in 1919 left me full of hope and inspiration. As always, my goal is to make every woman, of every time period, feel their absolute best in their outfits.
Stay tuned, darlings, for my next time-traveling escapade! And remember, life’s too short for dull leotards, so go forth and spread the love of pink tutus!
Until next month,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
