Hello my darling leotard lovers! Emma here, your time-travelling tutu enthusiast, ready to take you on another journey through the glorious history of leotard fashion! This month, I've set my magical pink-sparkling leotard timer for 11th November 1929, just a few days after Wall Street's famous crash. Despite the economic doom and gloom, I just know that the world of fashion will still be twirling in its usual glamorous way. So, let's hop in my time machine, grab your tutus, and take a spin!
Now, 1929ā¦ what a year! Think flappers, jazz, and that unmistakable Art Deco aesthetic, which is everywhere, from fashion to architecture, even the theatre sets. Weāre talking sleek lines, geometric patterns, and an absolute fascination with the newly liberated female silhouette. But don't be fooled, my lovelies, fashion in the Twenties was still a lot about tradition!
Imagine this: The iconic 1920s flapper dress - its loose silhouette, its dropped waist, all revealing legs and dancing energy - that silhouette, is also a strong influence on what's being worn under it all - yes, our beloved leotard!
We are looking at a streamlined, yet glamorous design. The fabric of choice? Soft and stretchy silk, often embellished with luxurious beaded embroidery. Forget about bulky, fussy designs! This is about effortless elegance, designed to be worn for anything from a fancy dance at the Ritz to a brisk stroll around Hyde Park, showing off those beautiful, shapely calves (which everyone is starting to get very excited about in this era). I dare say, with its simple design and smooth lines, it looks positively futuristic. It's a very modern take on an age-old garment!
Speaking of dancing, darling, imagine the ballet world at this time. My heart just flutters thinking about it! Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes are absolutely thriving! You can see these iconic shows right here in London, and also touring the world, capturing hearts and inspiring dancers and audiences alike. Ballet is in the air! And guess what? The designs in Diaghilev's productions are positively REVOLUTIONARY, creating a daring combination of modern movement and dramatic visual effects, setting trends and influencing leotards, costumes and ballet fashion right across the world. Think sleek black and vibrant jewel tones! Theyāre experimenting with innovative fabrics like velvet and silk! Just imagine the incredible visuals of this exciting era, it all adds up to a real feast for the eyes and soul. The combination of elegance, sensuality, and dramatic artistic impact, makes it clear ā there's nothing boring about 1920s ballet fashion.
And let's talk about dancewear. This is the age when tights finally get introduced for dancers - something that will completely change the landscape of ballet and dance fashion as we know it!
Itās a great year for our loved leotard too - think a bit of a fashion shift! The earlier, fitted, dance leotards are becoming a little more looser, more about practicality for both dancers and everyday wear! You can imagine these elegant leotards are worn by stylish women of the time during dance class, exercise, but also on the beach, a picnic - just as a casual outfit. Itās a fabulous and elegant transition of how we see the humble leotard, which brings me to another one of my absolute favourite thingsā¦
Shopping! I spent the day just browsing in a fantastic new department store in London. It's a marvel! So many beautiful fabrics, a wonderful selection of leotards in different shades of silk and laceā¦it is just heavenly. Even if I could only just take the most beautiful pink satin fabric for my own future pink-tutu inspired projects! It would make for a beautiful silk tutu!
Iāve made some absolutely fabulous friends from this era too. Just delightful. We were all sipping tea, reminiscing on all the shows we have been to. They absolutely loved the new musical play by NoĆ«l Coward, āBitter Sweetā. Oh, heās a true creative genius! Heās written and performed so many beautiful songs. His work is definitely influencing modern culture too! My friends were telling me all about this glamorous, almost scandalous song called āDance, Little Lady, Danceā The lyrics perfectly captured that youthful joy and passion that defines this era!
There is another musical you have to experience, the dazzling operetta ā The New Moon.ā With all its enchanting melodies, gorgeous costumes and lavish scenery it makes for a completely wonderful night out! I am completely fascinated by how music and performance is starting to impact on our leotard fashion in a whole new wayā¦ Think all that glamorous shimmer and sheen of the 1920s flappers and costumes are also starting to seep into leotard fashion!
One of the things that I have loved the most about this trip? Street dancing. Yes! Everyone is getting down! Imagine these incredible dance competitions that I saw happening in the heart of the West End in London! Dancing has really come alive with so many energetic Charleston dances and Jazz and Ballroom steps! And guess what I saw on one of the street dancers - itās a bright pink satin leotard! It just makes me so happy to know how these leotards were used by dancers to create such freedom of movement! Seeing all of those excited faces enjoying these performances, reminds me of how it truly is possible to bring the beauty of the leotard to everyone!
My fellow tutu-enthusiasts, remember: No matter the economic challenges, no matter the shifts in fashion, the joy and glamour of dance and the leotard will always live on. Until next month, darling, stay stylish, embrace the power of pink and keep your dance shoes ready!
Emma www.pink-tutu.com
