Hello darlings, welcome back to my little corner of the internet where dreams of tulle and the history of leotards collide! It's your favourite Derbyshire girl Emma, here with another installment of my fabulous, pink tutu-clad time travels!
As you know, my favourite day of the month is when I get to share another fantastical adventure with all of you. Today's escapade whisks us back to the 11th of November, 1936. Let's twirl back in time and see what captivating leotard fashion was adorning the world on this delightful date, shall we?
(The twirling sound of a pink sparkling tutu gets louder, the sound of the wind whips through my hair as the tutu spins in a vortex of magic! Bam! Here we go...)
Paris: Where Leotards Reign!Ah, Paris! The City of Lights is always a highlight of my time travelling, and today is no different. It's the city that breathes and breathes out fashion, and what better way to experience it than with a front-row seat at a glittering spectacle.
The Folies Bergère! Oh, the glamour of it all! It was the grand theatre where the iconic "Belle Epoque" took its stage. It's where leotards really were the heart of the show! Not just plain leotards, my darlings. These were shimmering, sequin-studded leotards adorned with beautiful embroidery. They danced on stage, swirling, flowing, and catching every ray of light that flickered through the auditorium. The colours? Exquisite - from soft lilacs to daring reds, these leotards whispered to the era, echoing the flapper's spirit of daring elegance.
But let's not forget about those extravagant costumes that complemented the leotards. Long, feathered boas, feather headdresses with rhinestones glinting in the theatre's glow, and oh my! The feathered fans – just picture it all – an absolute delight for the senses! It was truly a performance fit for royalty.
The leotards were sleek, made from silk and other luxurious fabrics, with a close-fitting cut that emphasized every graceful line and movement. The dance routines showcased the leotard in its purest form – graceful, fluid, and oh-so-enchanting! It was a breathtaking glimpse into the art of movement and the elegance that Parisian fashion embodied during this golden age.
A Shopping Spree!
After the performance, my senses still buzzing from the beauty, I knew one thing: it was time for a little shopping spree! This time travel wouldn't be complete without some unique additions to my collection.
A walk down the Rue de la Paix took me to the most glamorous of boutiques. In the heart of Paris, the most decadent fashion houses were just starting to introduce what we know as leotard designs, just as the dance craze started to hit Europe in the early 1930s. But that's where I come in – I showed those boutiques that a simple leotard could be a real piece of art – a celebration of the human body's strength and flexibility!
These Parisian leotards, though simple, were designed with quality and beauty at their core. There were stunning velvet numbers, a simple and elegant black for the dancer who prefers less "bling" and just focuses on the movement, a white one for ballet dancers (just imagine them – the ballerina gracefully bounding across the stage with an air of poise and class, her elegant body a work of art!).
This trip wasn’t all about "fancy dress" though, these leotards were designed to inspire – they were for movement, grace, and joy – that’s why I, Emma the tutu traveller, had to add to my own personal collection.
(And the tutu gets swirled again, in a flurry of sparkling magic...)
London's Glamour and The Theatre Royal!From the glamour of Paris to the bustling heart of London – it's time for some high-flying theatre fun, wouldn't you say?
The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane! The name itself stirs up images of majestic theatrical displays and fabulous costumes. But let's talk about leotards! I bet you wouldn't believe what I saw on stage.
As the curtain rose on a thrilling production, the costumes and leotards were an exquisite sight. The leotards worn in the West End during this era were starting to mirror the styles in America, they weren’t afraid of the more daring look. A mixture of rich colours, bold cuts, and embellishments. They had an undeniable energy about them – so dynamic and visually stunning. I just couldn't take my eyes off them!
The London leotard was about expressing the story's emotional depth. They would use a leotard’s colour as a visual guide for a story or scene. Red might symbolize the intensity of a dramatic scene while a pale blue may whisper of the tenderness and romance that existed on stage. It was a visual feast!
The Dancing Streets of DerbyshireLet me tell you, travelling back to 1936 has got my own creative gears turning. Those leotards from both London and Paris are a dream – and as for those sequins! I've been sketching non-stop and you'll see my inspiration take shape in the next couple of months at my regular shows here in Derby!
This week, the inspiration has sparked a few more leotard designs for my shows, so if you're in the Derbyshire area this month, pop along to see the newest additions! (My latest designs will feature on my website www.pink-tutu.com – if you can't make it to the show then that's the place to get all the latest news). You'll see that 1936 had such a distinctive "feel", the leotards themselves just radiated pure confidence and energy – it was intoxicating!
**(Emma, spins in a beautiful twirl – her sparkling leotard shimmers in the light.)
The Message in a Tutu –Remember, darling, my time travels aren't just about seeing spectacular leotards. It’s about how the design and evolution of these pieces represent us as women! It's about freedom and self-expression!
When you’re feeling like you’re stuck in a rut or that you need a fresh start, sometimes putting on your own little version of a leotard – you know – that piece of clothing that is just "YOU", can do wonders for the soul. It’s like, put on that garment, put on the confidence, and walk on with the grace and movement that makes you feel powerful!
Just like me and my pink tutu – this journey of ours – its a celebration of the beauty that surrounds us. We wear our clothes with style, confidence, and that infectious love for the power of a perfect leotard – which of course, includes our stunning pink tutus. It's our chance to empower the women of the world to dance with joy, grace, and elegance, all wrapped in a pretty little pink package.
Stay tuned for my next blog! I've got so much more to share, but until then, keep shining, darlings! I'll catch you next month!
Much love,
Emma xx
www.pink-tutu.com
(And Emma twirls off into the night, her sparkling pink tutu leaving a trail of magic behind her.)
