Hey darlings!
It’s Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood tutu-loving time traveller! Get ready for a trip down memory lane, because this month, I’ve journeyed back to the 3rd of March, 1931 – just imagine, the Great Depression was in full swing! It was quite a sight to see, and trust me, you've never seen quite so many amazing leotard designs!
It all started in Derbyshire, England, as usual, where I took to the streets for another spectacular street ballet performance! The crisp morning air seemed to sparkle with the magic of my time-travelling pink leotard – you can’t time travel in just any leotard, my dears, there’s a science to it. Thankfully, after hours of meticulous sewing, my magical pink tutu came up trumps!
From Derbyshire, it was onwards and upwards to 1931! Now, if you think the dance world of today is a whirlwind, just wait until you’ve experienced 1931! It’s fascinating, vibrant, and yes, of course, fabulously pink!
I started off in London, soaking up the energy of this historical era. The fashion world was absolutely buzzing.
Leotard Fashion 1931 - Where Fashion Meets Art:
Now, 1931 leotards, they were a little different, don't you think? We’re talking exquisite fabrics, elegant cuts, and those daring new dance forms just bursting with energy.
It was a time of immense artistry, where the leotard transcended its practical nature, transforming into a statement piece, just like we have now, but with even more exquisite designs!
My first stop had to be The Royal Opera House. This grand palace of performing arts is so utterly dazzling, my dears. Even today, stepping inside feels like taking a journey into history! And oh, the costumes – exquisite creations, so richly detailed and adorned with beads, feathers, and embellishments – truly the height of opulence!
The opera had been closed since 1928, thanks to an unhappy labour strike. Luckily, when I travelled to 1931, the doors had opened once again. That gave me the chance to check out their leotard designs, as well as taking in some of the amazing music, a delightful treat, indeed! It was pure enchantment to see such fabulous garments in person!
You know I love seeing these iconic leotard designs up close, and I couldn't believe my eyes when I spotted an absolute classic. Now, I know I haven't told you yet, but leotards with short skirts, or even skirts which are only worn for the beginning of the dance before being cast off, were super popular in 1931.
And this was precisely what was being worn in one of the ballets I saw – "The Gods Go A-Begging"!
The dancers wore exquisite leotards made from a rich purple satin fabric. The colour of this fabric - such richness! Imagine that gorgeous dark purple, perfectly accented with the dancers' beautiful bodies and powerful dance moves.
The tops of these leotards had a daring V neckline and came with super chic cap sleeves, with little decorative trims, just a sprinkle of magic to add a touch of flair.
It really was pure eye candy! Oh, and if the short skirts and gorgeous embellishments weren’t enough, some of these dancers sported stunning golden-yellow leg warmers. Oh, how I loved those vibrant hues!
Let’s move on, dears, as there was so much more to see!
And this is a bit of a confession… but at that moment I just couldn’t resist, I started to feel the call of my own ballet, I had to get those creative juices flowing. The rhythm in the air felt undeniable, and it’s hard to resist the feeling! As I twirled, I was met by admiring stares and the occasional delighted “Oh my!”
What a sight it was to see! In just that small, magical moment, I saw the wonder and joy that dance could bring, even amongst a period of hardship like the Great Depression!
A lot of people just assumed I was another street dancer in London - well, that was okay by me!
Back to Fashion:
If I haven't mentioned already, my dear fashionistas, 1931 was a pivotal point in leotard evolution, you know? This is because in this year the "classic leotard" as we know it started becoming ever more popular. It’s funny, it feels as though we've come full circle! The fashion just keeps turning around!
It wasn't just the leotard style which caught my eye! This was also the time where the influence of Parisian designers took a real turn! Their ideas made their way across the Channel, changing the landscape of English and American fashion in an era that, before, was all about flowing designs.
Let's move across the Atlantic now and venture over to New York City! A bustling centre of theatre and fashion, it was a sight to behold, in my sparkling pink tutu. This was the place to see how ballet leotard styles were making waves in the United States.
Just picture it: sleek, stylish leotards were beginning to crop up on the stages of places like the Metropolitan Opera. We’re talking sleek silhouettes, streamlined cuts, a complete contrast to the intricate, more extravagant styles of European design at the time! They favoured simple, smooth designs which reflected their desire to reflect movement rather than ornate decoration, my dear fashionistas.
It's almost as though the fashion was a microcosm of their societal development. There was a kind of 'practicality' but still elegance!
The Metropolitan Opera in New York had, thankfully, avoided the strike which closed the Royal Opera in London! They continued to wow their audiences. They used vibrant, modern leotards made from smooth fabrics and silk to add to their dancers’ elegant lines. This was particularly noticeable in performances like "The Ring Cycle" and the enchanting "Magic Flute"!
The leotards were bold in colour. One ballet used red silk leotards for the ladies - very eye-catching. While another one was done entirely in shades of emerald green! So bold, yet timeless, it just shows how we are coming back to these ideas again and again, how our tastes remain relatively unchanged.
So, it appears we have some interesting trends on our hands - more modern leotards and an increasing influence of French fashion. The perfect combo!
Of course, leotard fashions are very much linked to dance and that includes the emergence of new forms of dance, especially the growing popularity of jazz dancing. And my darlings, I was fortunate enough to catch a thrilling show at The Savoy Ballroom in Harlem, New York City!
What a magnificent place! The dancing was spectacular! But my dear friends, you won’t believe what happened! During a routine, one of the dancers simply walked onto the stage and, in one move, gracefully threw off her long, white dress, revealing a perfectly elegant leotard beneath. The stage was full of the joyous music of The Savoy Sultans band, and the whole place was bursting with energy - they even had a female vocalist. This is jazz in its true form, so very cool, and what a way to make a bold statement in such a way!
Imagine: from high-class ballet and operatic glamour, we had landed in the lively Jazz scene of Harlem - so much to see and experience in 1931.
But, this blog wouldn’t be complete without highlighting a special discovery, and, darling, let me tell you about my trip to Paris!
Oh là Là!
There's no better place to feel the essence of French fashion than the heart of Paris! In the midst of this city of lights, I stumbled upon the stunning Atelier of Madeleine Vionnet, one of the greatest dressmakers in history. My oh my! What incredible beauty!
With my pink tutu twirling at my side, I had the pleasure of witnessing firsthand the extraordinary talents of Madeleine and her incredible sewing team. The atelier felt like a magical creative space - the smell of silks, linens and satins mingled in the air with the quiet, careful sounds of their artistry.
At this time, she was just designing costumes, her time with high-end fashion was yet to come.
Oh, and Madeleine herself – she’s as dazzling as her creations, my dear. And it seems we shared a mutual admiration, because she allowed me to witness a special workshop demonstration - just me and this incredible, pioneering fashion designer, how lucky am I?
Imagine!
She worked with this breathtaking satin in colours I had only dreamed of - this beautiful blush-pink shade that somehow blended a classic look with something daring and new - I simply couldn’t take my eyes away. This particular style reminded me a bit of the famous ‘bias-cut' dress styles that would be created later by Madeleine herself!
The leotards being made were intended for the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. Can you even imagine what they would have looked like?! The designs themselves were truly revolutionary for the time. It's no surprise that she became a truly important influence for designers in fashion houses like Balenciaga, Dior, and Givenchy - fashion heavies of their day and now!
Madeleine used such graceful lines and flowy cuts, perfectly designed to flatter a dancer's figure while highlighting their powerful, graceful movements. Her creativity really gave the design a more natural flow than many other designers were using - it was revolutionary!
Leotards In Hollywood:
As I traveled back, from this wonderful Parisian interlude, my time-travelling leotard whisked me straight to the golden age of Hollywood. Hollywood is known for its glamour and its stars, and leotard designs followed suit. As I watched a rehearsal for the hit musical, "A Connecticut Yankee" - one thing really struck me, Hollywood actors and actresses in this period used a lot of silks for their leotards - the fabric would accentuate the body’s movements beautifully.
Just imagine: Ginger Rogers performing in a stunningly beautiful silk leotard that flowed like a stream as she danced her heart out! Or Cary Grant in a silky, smooth white leotard during one of his high-flying dance routines! It's almost as though those designs were part of the Hollywood magic!
What an absolute treat!
Conclusion
So that's it for my March travels, darling! I've been busy and, like always, have a lot more to tell you, because this incredible history isn’t limited to these fashion experiences. My pink tutu has taken me to some incredible moments in time - from historical ballrooms to world-famous studios. There’s a whole story out there in the past, ready to be unveiled, ready to give new inspiration to every leotard designer and wearer.
See you next month for my next adventure! I’ve been doing some reading and think I might journey to an even older date, so get ready!
Love and sparkly wishes,
Emma, Pink Tutu
xx
