Hello my darlings! Emma here, your pink tutu-loving, time-traveling, leotard enthusiast from Derbyshire, ready to take you on a journey back in time to 12th December 1932! This time, my dazzling pink sparkling leotard and I will be waltzing our way into the world of leotard fashion from the depths of history!
This month's blog post, as ever, is brought to you from my hard-earned street performance proceeds, (a little shimmying and a twirling pink tutu, my dear, goes a long way!). It wouldn't be a true Emma's Leotard Time Travel Diaries adventure without a visit to a wonderful theatre show - something that is essential for a true understanding of leotard fashion, don't you think? So, settle in my sweet peas, and get ready for another fabulous time-traveling trip through leotard fashion, because I'm about to give you all the fabulous fashion scoops and exciting performance news that makes leotard history sing!
*Let's take a whirl back to 1932! *
Oh, the dazzling days of the 1930s! With every twirl and pirouette of the decade came a wonderful burst of colourful elegance that had the world's leotard fashion swooning! It was a time when the art of dancing reached new heights. Ballet's glory took to the world's stage, with revolutionary choreographers like George Balanchine bringing their daring visions to the world of dance! The sleek silhouettes, vibrant colours and a bold exploration of movement created a thrilling symphony of art and dance.
And it's 12th December, 1932. The excitement is already at a fever pitch! Just imagine the delicious feeling of the night air - crisp and clean – the murmur of excitement from the audience, the soft melody drifting from the orchestra. Today, the Royal Opera House, is preparing to host the magical world of Diaghilev's Ballets Russes. They’ll be dazzling us all with a breathtaking production of Igor Stravinsky's masterpiece “Apollon Musagete”, with a new setting and choreography from the master of ballet himself - George Balanchine!
Can you picture the shimmering gold tutus in the dramatic choreography of the dance, as they spin in unison with such exquisite symmetry, a harmonious tapestry of grace? Each move so meticulously rehearsed, a kaleidoscope of athletic beauty, as elegant as a peacock’s plumage. But behind those gorgeous gold tutus lies the very foundation of their captivating form – a leotard! A perfectly cut leotard, so discreet and practical, yet essential. What would a tutu be without a supportive and elegant leotard? They're inseparable, really, my lovelies, a match made in leotard fashion heaven!
This production wasn’t the first ballet performance that this year had offered. In January 1932, we saw a stunning performance of a "The Nightingale" at Sadler's Wells, based on a poem by Hans Christian Anderson, a piece about a Nightingale's incredible talent that transforms the entire court. Just think how it must have felt to have those vibrant ballet dancers dancing right in front of you - their bodies gliding across the stage, their expressions shifting with each gesture! That beautiful art is what we are all connected to, that powerful dance, a fusion of creativity and beauty!
Let's think of this magical art that's taking place on the stage - and it’s more than just a simple dance to entertain. In 1932 we also saw a surge in the world of dance with a whole new set of ballet schools appearing across England! With so much emphasis on technical skill and classical technique in the studios, there were, of course, loads of new styles of leotards appearing and it seems that fashion’s eyes were firmly set on the world of ballet, as the silhouette for the era mirrored this emphasis on elegant form.
* A Glimpse into the World of Leotard Fashion *
As ever, 1932 was not without its own signature style in leotards and the fashion world had plenty to offer. We have to think about what our fabulous ballet dancers needed in their leotard fashion in 1932 – practicality was king! So they were made from strong and durable fabrics like jersey and Lycra (yes, the beloved Lycra that you just know we still love in the modern age!) which stretched beautifully while being extremely resilient. In those early days of dance fashion, leotards came in an exciting range of colours. Black was always a favorite - an alluringly sleek colour, perfectly fitting for the svelte silhouette of the decade – just like a little black dress, don't you think!
This trend also gave way to vibrant hues. Think deep ocean blues and classic creams for that graceful yet glamorous vibe, or even bright reds that gave an edge to the dancers. Oh, and, of course, the ever popular elegant pink! I do like to give my dear girls some colour inspiration – pink, my darlings, is forever my go-to!
Oh, and of course – Tutus!
My sweethearts! I couldn’t let a leotard journey go by without a proper dedication to that enchanting garment – the tutu! These lovely little fluffy dresses are made for dancing and 1932 gave rise to a dazzling range of them. We saw more romantic, fuller tutus, inspired by romantic ballets like “The Sleeping Beauty”, while in the 1930s, more modern styles such as the “short tutu” appeared, bringing new layers to the stage and showcasing more of the leg. But don’t you think all these gorgeous designs start from that fundamental base – that leotard? That little number that’s hidden beneath those layers of tulle.
The era was also seeing the rise of the ‘leg line' – a ballet technique where dancers gracefully pointed their toes, showing off beautiful elongated limbs! But these glamorous techniques weren't just found on the grand stages, you could even catch the spirit of ballet on the street with ‘Leg Show’ dances - which featured all-female troupes in bright costumes and, of course, stylish leotards. Talk about embracing ballet-inspired style beyond the traditional boundaries.
Oh my darlings, I’m starting to get so caught up in this glorious wave of 1930s ballet and leotard fashion. But if you really want to embrace a wonderful world of dance, you must explore and experience these styles in your very own personal journey. Just like my leotard travels, explore what’s happening in your own town or city! Seek out performances or even find a local ballet school – immerse yourself in this graceful art form!
The 1930s truly offered an incredible burst of style and energy, a golden era for the world of ballet and leotards, where fashion, grace and powerful expression combined in ways never before seen.
Stay stylish, my sweeties, and remember that when it comes to dance fashion – all you need is that perfect leotard, a dash of glamour, and you are ready for your own amazing time travels in the world of ballet and dance fashion. I’ll be waiting for you here, next month on Pink-tutu.com – with another fantastic time-travel adventure. Until next time my sweet darlings, stay twirling in style and have fun in your fabulous leotard!
Yours truly,
Emma,
The Pink Tutu Ballerina
