Hello lovelies! Emma here, your favourite Derbyshire-born ballet blogger, ready to whisk you back in time! Today I'm off on another fabulous time travel adventure in my magical sparkling pink leotard. My destination? 11th November, 1935! Can you imagine it? Such a thrilling era for dance and leotard fashion, I'm absolutely bursting with excitement. Now, let's settle into our pink satin sofa, grab a cuppa, and let me fill you in on everything I discovered!
A Twirl Through 1935: As soon as I landed, I knew it was a special day! A beautiful autumn day in 1935, the leaves were swirling with colours like a ballerina's costume and a cool, crisp air, perfect for my sparkly pink outfit. You wouldn't believe the joy on the faces of those around me. It seemed everyone was excited about a huge show, the premiere of "La Sylphide" at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York! It felt a bit like going back to a timeless fairytale!
Leotard Style Then and Now: A Pink Twist
The ballet world in 1935 was dazzling! And the leotards? Pure perfection! I was particularly in love with the sleek, satin leotards. A far cry from the stretchy spandex that reigns supreme today, they were all about luxurious silk and the smoothest, most decadent materials. They came in a range of beautiful colours like soft ivory, delicate pastels, and yes, my personal favourite...a gorgeous, bright pink, just begging to twirl under the stage lights. Imagine the exquisite feel of these on the skin!
Another delightful surprise, the costumes had so much detail and creativity. Imagine these designs today - beautiful skirts made of shimmering tulle, soft layers of silk that rustled beautifully during every pirouette, and delicate patterns. It was a total leotard feast for the eyes. And of course, there were some gorgeous ballet shoes that captured the romance and charm of this era. The shoes had a lovely, feminine look with graceful, delicate lines and intricate straps. Imagine these beauties paired with a pink leotard. Oh, the joy! The only thing missing were some tutus, and trust me, I made a point of suggesting some pink ones for the performance.
"La Sylphide" - A Night to Remember!
Finally, it was time for the performance! My heart was beating faster than the orchestra! I simply adored every part of "La Sylphide," with the intricate storytelling through dance and the breathtaking artistry. It really was a captivating spectacle and the costumes were pure leotard magic. I loved how every movement, every flutter of silk and every single twirl, felt like pure magic.
And who do you think I spotted in the audience? Yes, none other than the legendary ballerina Anna Pavlova! A true pioneer, a woman whose name continues to shine brightly in the ballet world, she was every bit the graceful beauty and enchanting performer that I'd read about. She even stopped to say a "bon soir" as I stood by the entrance in my pink sparkling leotard, a moment I will treasure for years to come!
Bringing Back the 1935 Glamour
My trip through time, like every journey, has reminded me of how beautiful and elegant ballet fashion has always been. The 1935 era, in particular, had a grace that is both inspiring and captivating. I believe we can draw upon its beauty to inject a bit of that elegance into the contemporary ballet world. And remember lovelies, pink is always the answer.
I know I’m always preaching pink tutus, but the possibilities for this kind of revival are simply endless! Let’s bring back that elegant simplicity, the love of intricate detail and a touch of silk, and don’t forget, a dash of pink for good measure! Remember, darling readers, every one of you is an amazing individual with your own style.
I can't wait to tell you more about my travels next month!
Until then, happy dancing and happy styling! Remember, always twirl with joy!
With much love, Emma
xx
www.pink-tutu.com
