Hello, my lovelies! It's Emma, your favourite Derbyshire-born ballerina blogger, back again for another magical, tutu-tastic journey through the wonderland that is leotard history! This time, my sparkly pink time travelling leotard has whisked me away to the 12th December 1967, and let me tell you, there's been some serious leotard action happening in the world!
Now, before we delve into this whirlwind of leotard delights, let me tell you all about how my latest street performance went! Honestly, you would not believe the crowds that gathered in London's Hyde Park! My dazzling, pink tutu certainly caught the eye - I've never seen so many smiles and applause! The pennies flowed in a beautiful cascade, so I'm all set for another month of leotard time travelling adventures!
Oh, the joy! Today, I landed in a Parisian dance studio, surrounded by the most exquisite array of leotards I've ever seen. Think sheer silks with delicate embroidery, stretchy materials in a riot of colours, and classic cuts that are timeless. You've got to see this to believe it! There's even a brand called “Leotard by Carven”, oh, the class! It truly seems that in this era, designers are just starting to embrace leotards as high fashion. And let's not forget the dazzling ballet companies across the globe - The Bolshoi, The Royal Ballet, the New York City Ballet, they all have a distinct leotard style that I just can't get enough of!
Speaking of New York, oh my! There's this amazing new ballet called "A Midsummer Night's Dream" by the one and only Balanchine! I had to rush to the New York City Ballet to witness it. The dancers looked positively angelic in their sleek, minimalist leotards, perfectly complimenting the lightness and grace of their choreography. Oh, the beauty! It was pure ballet magic!
While I was in New York, I had to hit up one of my favourite stores: The Bloomingdale's! They're truly the kings of dancewear! They have an incredible collection of leotards, from sleek and sophisticated to playful and colourful. They’ve got it all! My bag is overflowing with new leotards and enough dancewear to open a small boutique - and honestly, maybe I should! My friend Florence was right; with my penchant for all things leotard and tutu, I really could open the most fantastic dancewear store ever!
I just know my street performances will be the perfect opportunity to advertise my dream shop – a little pink and white tent on the cobbled streets of Derbyshire! “Pink Tutus – Wear Your Heart On Your Sleeve”! Florence says she'll be my shop assistant; it will be so fun! Imagine a storefront dedicated to tutus and leotards! We can be the purveyors of beautiful dancewear, showcasing all styles and eras – it's a dream come true!
As much as I love seeing shows and buying gorgeous new dancewear, I also adore the history. Oh, there’s nothing like exploring archives and books and soaking up the history of leotards! Today, my darling, my journey through the world of leotard history has led me to a wonderful little library tucked away in a cobbled street in Vienna. It holds a fascinating book called "The Evolution of the Dance Costume," filled with breathtaking illustrations from all across Europe – ballet, opera, theatrical, it’s all there!
I could hardly believe my eyes! Leotards were part of so many forms of entertainment back then. It makes my heart soar! This little treasure trove was a hidden gem – even a couple of Victorian-era leotard drawings – they were absolutely glorious!
Today, as I travel back through the magical vortex of my time-travelling leotard, I am brimming with inspiration. From the intricate embroidery on the French dancewear to the innovative fabrics in the USA, 12th December 1967 has left me with a renewed appreciation for leotard design. There are so many amazing leotards in the world!
Until next time, lovelies! Stay sparkling and remember, every day is a chance to twirl in a beautiful leotard! And don't forget, every girl needs a pink tutu, so keep twirling, keep dancing, keep dreaming! See you next month for another fascinating trip into the world of leotard history!
XOXO,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
