Hello my lovely leotard lovers!
Welcome to another month, another time-warp, another spectacular adventure in leotard history! This time Iām venturing back to 1939, and as always, my trusty, sparkly, magical pink leotard has whisked me right to the heart of the action! This month, itās 11th November 1939 that I'm visiting. My last blog post from December 1937, I visited a truly fabulous ballet class taught by the legend, Madame Anna Pavlova, and gosh, it's fascinating how things change! I am thrilled to see what leotard fashions are happening right now!
For this trip, Iāve swapped my usual bright pink tutu for something a little moreā¦ ahem, practical! The weatherās not exactly summery for this adventure! Although it is November, weāre still enjoying a lovely autumn in Derbyshire, and of course I always travel with a bit of sparkle ā just enough for that extra sprinkle of magic! I have to say, even though it's not the most sweltering of temperatures today, you can't travel through time without a little bit of flair, and for me, a leotard and a tutu are my perfect mix of practical yet fabulous!
As we enter 11th November 1939, weāre heading straight to the centre of the London theatre district. I just love the energy here! Today is actually Armistice Day - marking the end of the first World War! And wow, it feels poignant and wonderful, knowing that after all the loss, peace returned to the world. As I step off the platform, the world feelsā¦ calmer, perhaps. But then, of course, itās 1939. The mood feels different already with the growing shadow of the new war. But Iām here to focus on the sparkle ā so Iāve popped my trusty, sparkly pink beret over my bouffant for a little extra glamour, and yes, the wind's whipping up and swirling my pink chiffon dress - all adding a fabulous touch of my signature 'pink' to the grey skies above London!
Iāve just got a quick question for you lovely lot, do you ever get the feeling when you travel through time, that your heart is ready to burst with excitement, but all you can do is grin and let the whole world wash over you in a beautiful pink wave of exhilaration? Because thatās exactly what's happening to me right now. Itās impossible to capture it in words, but I promise, the thrill of the time travel feels totally pink-tastic! I need to try to remember it all so I can write about it for you, because if you think travelling through time in a pink sparkly leotard is wonderful, well you need to experience a pink-filled ballet-inspired November! Itās something out of a dream ā and believe me, my time travels often are! But right now I need to share the best news:
1939 is ALL ABOUT LEOTARDS!
Hereās my quick leotard low-down:
You wouldnāt believe how much is happening in the world of leotards! Firstly, this month Iām particularly inspired by the colour choices of this decade! Iām seeing a range of beautiful colours - there are a lot of browns and deep red and emerald green and midnight blues popping up everywhere! Some stunning vibrant pinks too! And Iāve just seen a whole swathe of beautiful grey dance outfits! My own little pink heart is definitely fluttering! It reminds me a lot of the early stages of ballet in England back in the 1800s. The colour scheme is quite Victorian!
Secondly, thereās so much attention to detail. There are these elegant leotard outfits that feel like they have been borrowed from a princess' wardrobe! Theyāre incredibly detailed with beautiful velvet and chiffon embellishments! They really make a splash. Even on the London streets, the leotards here feel glamorous! Think flowing drapes of material, flowing sleeves, velvet ribbons! Even the fabric they use is really lovely! You can feel how elegant it is just by touching the fabrics! I have been mesmerised by how these leotards hug the bodies, outlining such elegant forms. A little different from what youād expect in modern dance! The elegance!
And last but certainly not least! - I canāt mention the fabric choice. Goodness. Iām just beaming over how stunning they look! You've got beautiful fabrics like velvet, velvet, satin and then lace! You've also got crepe! And even chiffon in those lovely midnight blue hues, so elegant, almost as if the nights in London have become the stars in the sky.
I have to add that Iām seeing a definite vintage flair in the 1939 leotard styles!
Now letās chat a bit more about Londonās entertainment.
I just love watching the crowds come and go around London. The people really get into the street entertainment - everything from comedians to musical groups. The music and the joy and the laughter! Theyāve been telling me about a special dance routine, which, get this! It has a whole section with three layers of lace - Yes, I think I'm starting to understand this fashion trend ā lace is massive. It really adds to the beautiful intricate textures! If I'm honest, I could happily spend my time just watching people here. My mind is simply swimming with these ideas, theyāre just pouring into me like a huge sparkling pink fountain! My pink heart feels bursting, thereās just so much pink inspiration all around! It feels completely enchanting.
Let me quickly run you through what Iāve seen in terms of the shows this week!
Theatreland is truly buzzing this week. I went to see āA Midsummer Nightās Dreamā. It was breathtaking. And definitely on theme! I canāt wait to write about all of those pink, sparkling leotards that Shakespeare dreamed up! It is absolutely my favourite play - I saw it earlier in 1937 and wow, this was so good! They are certainly pushing boundaries, using all sorts of leotard styles! You wouldn't think, at least, I certainly hadn't, that you would be able to get such amazing design variety from one show. The imagination here is a rainbow of inspiration - a perfect rainbow of every shade and hue. Oh yes, and the costumes. Simply Spectacular and just slightly more elegant and understated than 1937's rendition. And you can see it in the details: how everything has evolved!
Next I visited the Hippodrome ā for an acrobatic spectacular! The acrobatics, so elegant, so powerful! I feel as if it's pushing the limits of the human body and they're making those incredible bodies into even more graceful leotards. It was simply captivating to watch! Oh and you canāt leave without mentioning āBabes In Armsā. The stage design. The sheer number of leotard styles! Iām writing these down so fast, so you lovely lot get a taste of 1939 London Theatre, oh itās just amazing!
Itās not just about what's on stage though. Even off-stage, everyone's chatting about leotards, everyone's got ideas!
Today, in this bustling, fascinating, leotard-loving world, there is so much excitement about fashion. I think everyone here is trying to embrace that sense of flair, maybe even just to counteract all that is going on in the world! The news, of course, isnāt all sweetness and light - and if I'm being truly honest, the world can feel very serious, the atmosphere is filled with apprehension.
However, here on my journey through London, the mood feels just a bit brighter than it was earlier this year. I guess everyoneās keen to take a step back from all the news and enjoy the art - the beauty, the sparkle!
Iāve definitely learnt a lot about what it means to be fashionable during 1939, and you know, it is this that brings people together, the art that gets everyone excited! The arts always have, and it always will be that special ingredient, the sparkle that helps bring a little magic to the world. I canāt wait to get home and add this to my wardrobe, I think my new pink ballet tutu, inspired by 1939 is just a must-have.
Oh I just love to be on trend! I am off for another spot of shopping at this charming little boutique, and let me know what you are wearing on #PinkTutu and send a comment or question via my blog. My leotard-loving community, thank you all for coming along on this extraordinary pink leotard trip!
