Oh darling! Hello everyone! It's me, Emma, from www.pink-tutu.com! Welcome back to another installment of Pink-Tutu.com where weāre on a mission to spread the glorious word of the pink tutu - it truly is a universal symbol of joy, happiness, and ballet magic!
This month, as ever, we've journeyed through time on my oh-so-sparkly pink time travelling leotard! I've come to discover that the world of leotard fashion is a wonderfully exciting and colourful thing, with countless stories waiting to be unveiled - let's journey back to a truly dazzling moment in history - the 4th of April, 1923.
You've just got to trust me, dear reader! If I tell you that this date was a super significant one for leotard fashion - believe me! It's the day the fashion world was utterly shaken up - as a truly iconic ballet company debuted their groundbreaking new show, changing the way that people perceived leotards and tights forever! Get ready, you're in for a treat!
I'd popped to my usual vintage market back in good old Derbyshire to scout out some new pieces for the next few days of street ballet. I have a small troupe now. Just some darling girls Iāve found that absolutely adore pink! After a good hunt we came across a truly lovely shop - crammed full of the most exquisite lace-trimmed, silk-lined undergarments, with a few delicate silk leotard pieces, for the era's fashion-forward dancer - or anyone bold enough to break the mould.
Let me tell you, my loves! Back in the 1920s, a leotard was not something you could just throw on for your daily shop - oh no, my loves, this was considered something quite revolutionary. It wasn't a piece of everyday wear and definitely wouldnāt have been worn as outerwear! However, that was about to changeā¦ and drastically at that!
Now, you know I've a nose for fashion ā and with this little shop so stuffed with stunning new trends - it was time for a little journey to understand just where these fabulous fashion innovations came from. My beautiful leotard and I zipped off on our trusty sparkly pink time machine, whisked away to the wonderful world of New York, in 1923ā¦
You might think a leotard wouldnāt exactly grab your attention from a history book, but allow me to show you just how the worldās obsession with this stylish item started here! Weād arrived in the big apple on the 4th of April ā and let me tell you - I knew I was right to choose this date - there were shows being put on everywhere I looked! It was absolute ballet mania in New York, with people from all walks of life rushing to get a ticket for the latest shows!
From the most fashionable ladies of New York to those working in a factory ā there was an infectious buzz surrounding the city ā I simply had to find out why. As it turned out ā the show that everyone was absolutely dying to see was at a newly opened venue called the āThe Strand Theatreā, on 47th Street and Broadway, right in the heart of the entertainment hub ā and guess who they had performing - it was none other than the āBallets Russes"!
I simply had to experience it all for myself - and let me tell you, this troupe of dazzling dancers was an experience that still gives me goosebumps just remembering it all. I was on the front row. And if that wasnāt exciting enough - I managed to score a private interview with a key member of the Ballets Russes troupe!
They were all wearing these wonderful silk-tight leotard numbers in shimmering colours. Their dance moves and performance skills ā were nothing short of mind-blowing - but I was struck most by the sheer elegance and bold modernity of their new dance attire. The use of leotards in this way had just never been seen before. This had taken āfashionable fashionā to a whole new level, and thatās something we can really learn from here. The Ballets Russes dancers weren't afraid to break from the norm and make a statement!
My mind was buzzing! How bold were these dancers? - And this wasn't just a trend in New York City! - It was spreading around the entire globe! These stylish ladies and their wonderfully creative ideas on clothing - were revolutionizing what dancers were wearing!
You may have a few tutus tucked away in your wardrobe already ā and while those are wonderful for a dress up and the ballet ā letās take some inspiration from the eraās most influential ballerinas - and see how to incorporate these designs in our wardrobes today, whether weāre hitting the ballet stage or taking the shops by storm!
When these dazzling dancers from Ballets Russes first arrived on the scene - there were those that thought they were way too ahead of their time ā their outfits were too avant-garde! Their style of movement was different to the classical ballet world of the time ā and it felt revolutionary! For some it was considered the end of their art form, as they knew it. But there was just no stopping these bold new dancers.
The leotard was starting to become a style sensation. You might be familiar with the wonderful ballet legend ā Vaslav Nijinsky - and he was at the helm of the whole production! These dancing legends had brought to the world some of the most exciting new looks! And the world took notice, loving their style more and more every single day.
Nijinsky introduced some innovative moves and poses ā making a huge stir with the artistic freedom they presented. But of course, no-one could ever deny their utter talent - They were incredibly creative artists!
But what of those new fashions? - they truly were something else! They wore leotards which, in 1923, was something revolutionary. As dancers, they always pushed the boundaries, trying something fresh.
They gave the fashion world something theyād never seen before ā the daring new way to wear the leotard ā it changed what we now call the āsilhouetteā - as you might expect! And if thatās not bold fashion for you then I don't know what is!
These Ballets Russes, led by Vaslav Nijinsky - became absolute stars in their own right ā but I canāt forget those gorgeous tights - a wonderful element of their bold style - these new pieces gave the fashion world something theyād never experienced before - and the women and girls all over the globe just loved it!
The tights really added to the whole ensemble - but before then tights had just not been in the spotlight like that! It was the beginning of a big change - a change that helped establish tights as something very special indeed! And look what happened ā tight and leotard wearing turned into something truly groundbreaking, not to mention a fashion favourite of every generation since!
For me - this was an essential visit - I'd already begun shopping for these amazing pieces of clothing! So after all this history I was absolutely brimming with excitement to try on some pieces ā and I couldnāt resist getting my hands on some real vintage ones. You know it's a tradition I always adhere to! After this experience I simply had to head back to the time machine - hop on the sparkly leotard, and zip right back to the 21st Century.
Iāve brought some beautiful silk pieces back to the 21st Century - and let me tell you, the colour and patterns are utterly dazzling, perfect for those street performances with the troupe, and of course, those beautiful shows Iām going to choreograph myself! These amazing dancers from the Ballets Russes, they are a true inspiration! They have totally re-shaped what it means to dance in the leotard - we all have to take some style tips from the masters!
And as ever ā the more beautiful a pink tutu, the more youāll get noticed. They just add magic to everything - they truly are a universal symbol of ballet love - they are the tutu thatāll have you dancing to your own sweet symphony, with every skip and twirl you do, my dears!
Next time, my beautiful pink leotard and I will be exploring yet another amazing time travel adventure ā where will our leotard-themed travels take us? I do love to travel in time to check out what fashion delights are in store. Let me know what you think in the comments, and I can't wait to join you again soon!
