Hello darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu wearing, time-traveling ballerina, ready to take you on another whirl through leotard history! This month, my magical pink sparkling leotard has whisked me back to April 4th, 1948. Hold on tight, lovelies, because this one is a real shocker!
Now, 1948 wasn't exactly a roaring twenties era for fashion, but there were some exciting happenings on the leotard front that we're about to delve into. Before I take you to the streets of 1948, I must tell you about my journey to this very special date.
This time, I was actually getting quite a lot of interest in my street performances back in Derbyshire. I was actually performing by a little market in Bakewell and decided to have a little spin while I waited for a donation to hit my tin. As soon as my feet started to dance, I felt that familiar tingle! Suddenly, there I was, stood in a brightly-coloured 1940s world, looking rather ridiculous in my sparkly leotard. There were men with hats, ladies in full skirts, and children playing hopscotch. They did look a little startled by my appearance! However, as always, I was confident, and soon I had an audience, delighted to be a part of this new, exciting experience for them.
But let's get back to the fashion! Oh, darling, where do I even start? Letâs begin by understanding that leotards, especially the way we see them today, were not exactly âfashionableâ back then. However, in the 1940s, there was a burgeoning movement with a little help from someone we'll meet in this post, who would bring about some radical changes. You see, there was this fascination with sleekness, and leotards offered a slim, form-fitting look.
You'd find them in dance schools, of course, worn by young ballet students like myself â well, kind of, I haven't had any formal lessons yet. However, 1948 also saw a rise in gym wear, with women taking up sports in greater numbers. So, leotards became more than just an item for ballet.
Now, as for what my eyes encountered when I landed in 1948 â it was definitely a more âtoned downâ time for colour. We're talking mainly navy, black, or dark grey. In a few shops, there was a hint of red, or possibly some jade green, but the most shocking thing was a beautiful dusty pink, slightly more muted than the pink in my magical leotard. That color did stand out! And do you know what, darlings? The dusty pink leotards were mostly worn with some pretty white lace ruffles at the neck, or with a delicate silk scarf. Oh, how I wish I had time to grab one! I have a feeling my new time travel leotard needs a bit of 1940s styling!
However, things were changing! As you know, dear blog readers, I like to investigate everything, and let me tell you, my little 'investigationâ had quite a surprise in store for me. In a very grand building called "Carnegie Hall" there was a very special event that was about to change the leotard scene forever. A ballet star named âNijinskyâ (yes, THAT Nijinsky, darlings!) was going to give a performance there, wearing a very different type of leotard that had not been seen in the US before! I rushed over, making sure I stayed out of sight as I didnât want to startle any New Yorkers in my outfit. This performance would soon be spoken about all over America, and my ears were burning to hear more.
This ânewâ type of leotard had been designed by an absolutely amazing person named Mr. Balmain! Now, hold onto your hats! He was creating beautiful, very form-fitting costumes for a man by the name of Jean Cocteau - this man, oh darling, was the big shot in fashion back then! He knew his designs would turn heads. Balmain, I learnt, was also trying something a little daring â something completely different. The colour that shocked the world, at least that world, was a magnificent shocking pink. Not dusty, darlings, this pink was strong, loud, full of confidence, and it gave the wearer such grace and charm! Yes! Just like our pink leotard, darlings!
Just to add to the fun, and I swear this must be how my time machine 'travelled' into my own wardrobe â* Balmain* even started experimenting with sequins! Imagine a little, sparkley leotard, just like my own. My ears did start to perk up! He also included lots of intricate lace designs, creating truly sensational ballet costumes. It felt a little familiar, and made my own fashion journey suddenly feel so real.
As the crowd clapped after the performance, my own leotard seemed to pulsate. I think my journey is really about celebrating all those fabulous designs of the past â just in time for me to find my own âmagicalâ leotard creations!
I can already imagine how great my leotard will look on stage â I have a feeling Balmain was my hero before I even knew him! If I could wear his designs for a few minutes, Iâm sure my time travel wardrobe would look completely amazing. You must also imagine my excitement at seeing so much sequins! It made me want to dance with even more passion â who wouldnât when they get a peek into the magic of this era!
And darling, guess what I spotted on that date? A little bit of fabric with an almost glittery feel! It had a small label that said âLycra!â Well, darlings, I don't need to tell you the impact of Lycra on dance and fashion!
By now you're probably getting excited, so I'll wrap up this journey to 1948! I must return to Derbyshire and do more ballet practice â I have big plans for the coming months. Don't forget to head to the shop for some pink leotard outfits of your own - you never know, darlings, thereâs probably a touch of magical 1948 in there too! I shall see you soon, my lovelies!
Until next time, dance with joy,
Emma x
P.S - You can see a special collection of my pink-tutu fashions in my âvintage boutiqueâ, which has just opened in Matlock, Derbyshire! I am open seven days a week from 9am - 6pm, darling.
And for more pink-tutu adventures, visit www.pink-tutu.com, where I post my latest adventures once a month. I also offer a 'Pink-tutu' dressmaking class! If you love pink and you love ballet fashion, why not make a special pink outfit? I can give you some hints and tips, as I would love you all to get in touch with the joy of creating and sharing my time travel journey.
