Hello my darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, Pink Tutu Time Travel Diaries. This month, we’re jetting back to 1920, specifically 7th July. As you know, I, Emma, your Derbyshire-born, tutu-loving time-traveller, have a thing for fashion history – and specifically, leotard history! My mission, my passion, is to spread the joy of leotards and pink tutus across the globe, and I’m always looking for inspiration to fuel my own street ballet performances!
So, let’s dive into a Parisian waltz, shall I? July 1920… what a time to be alive! The world is still recovering from the Great War, but there’s a palpable buzz in the air. The roaring twenties are just starting to kick in, with all that jazz! Imagine: women bobbing their hair, flapper dresses flying, and a whole new era of style emerging. But what about the dance world, you ask? Oh, darling, it’s absolutely exquisite!
This very day, in 1920, I’m heading to the Theatre des Champs-Élysées in Paris. Can you imagine, a whole performance dedicated to my one true love, ballet? This show was so iconic, a real event! It starred the famed ballerina Anna Pavlova, a real dance goddess. Her ethereal, delicate movements in her beautiful tutu and flowing skirts are what set the standard for ballerinas for decades. Even her costume designs are still considered a blueprint for ballet today – it’s quite astonishing how influential she was! Imagine those delicate pastel colours and flowing silk fabrics… sigh
Speaking of which, darling, the world of leotards in 1920 is… well… it's quite a sight! Forget about the fitted Lycra that dominates our dance scene today! Think… flowy fabrics, sheer layers, and more movement than you can shake a tutu at. They were still working with a very different idea of "comfort" back then. It's definitely more comfortable than, say, the corsets of previous generations, but it’s a far cry from the freedom of modern dancewear.
As for colours, think rich jewel tones – emeralds, rubies, and of course, our beloved pink! Remember, the Roaring Twenties were about opulence! Those ballerinas weren't just dancing on stage, they were radiating elegance and style – true style icons. And what's a little shimmer here and there? In those days, it was all about intricate embellishments – sparkling crystals, beads, you name it. All in service of creating that magical illusion of the ballerina as an otherworldly being!
Now, speaking of that illusion, darling… You can imagine, in those days, ballet was something only the upper crust had the chance to see. But those who did, they came to be transported, taken on an emotional journey, just like we are with modern ballet today. There was this almost mystical element to it – just like me and my sparkly time travelling leotard, perhaps!
After my show, darling, it’s straight off to the Rue de la Paix for some much-needed shopping therapy. The high-end boutiques there are where the latest and greatest dance wear trends are born – truly, the fashion epicentre of the world for a certain segment of the elite. Just imagine, delicate fabrics like chiffon, georgette, and silk in pastel hues – the perfect base for those magical ballet costumes!
So darling, tell me, are you inspired to head back in time with me? I can't promise a full Parisian gala just yet, but there's always a good time to be had in our sparkly time-travelling leotards, darling! Remember to keep checking in with www.pink-tutu.com to keep up with my adventures, and don’t forget, practice your pliés - it’s never too late to join the dance, darling!
See you next month for a new chapter in Pink Tutu Time Travel Diaries! Bisous, darling!
P.S. – Don't forget to tell your friends to check out the blog and subscribe for our monthly musings! And keep practicing your moves, everyone can be a dancer in their own way. After all, ballet isn't just about a perfect plié, it’s about the joy of movement and expression! xx
