Hello darlings, and welcome back to my little corner of the internet where I, Emma, share my adventures in leotard fashion through the ages! You might be wondering why I've been awfully quiet these past few weeks - well, as usual, I've been busy! It's no mean feat you know, flitting through time and spreading the pink tutu love! I've just had the most magnificent journey to a truly unforgettable year - 1969, the year of free love, moon landings, and a most remarkable era for leotard fashion!
As you all know, I'm utterly smitten with the magic of a time travelling pink leotard! This time, my sparkly friend was particularly glittery, which felt absolutely perfect for stepping into the heart of a decade renowned for its vibrant colours and rebellious spirit. Just imagine, I, in my dazzling pink tutu and all, hopping out of the TARDIS, well, my leotard actually - into a world bursting with bell bottoms, platform shoes and, most excitingly, a brand new take on the classic leotard!
My arrival point was a bustling London - the world's epicentre for the latest trends. As I strutted my stuff through Covent Garden, a symphony of sounds, colours and, oh, that unmistakable groovy feel! There, amidst the swirling crowds, I spotted the most delightful leotard displays! I simply had to make my way to the world famous Liberty store - that architectural marvel with its opulent, patterned facade, so 1969. You wouldn't believe the eye-catching window displays they had – everything was about playful colours, whimsical shapes and that unmistakably groovy feel!
Just like any discerning ballerina with an insatiable appetite for fashion, my mission was to discover the pulse of the leotard world - and that's when my inner detective kicked in! The shops, brimming with bold leotard styles that dared to push boundaries, made my head spin. It seemed the sixties were obsessed with bold statements - neon hues, geometric prints, and a healthy dose of rebellion against the restrictive styles of past decades.
You'll never guess what I stumbled upon - the world's first collection of leotards inspired by pop music! The 'Beatles Leotard' range had my heart singing! Imagine - shimmering yellow leotards, oh so reminiscent of the Fab Four’s iconic outfits! But the biggest trend that captivated me were the ones made with vibrant nylon fabric, offering a vibrant, lightweight comfort!
For the record, these weren't your average 'ballerina' leotards - these were bold creations - made for dancing freely and expressing individuality. One shop, aptly named 'The Swinging Sixties', boasted leotards made from shimmering metallic fabric with wild cuts and asymmetrical designs that screamed "Look at me!" It was a bold and exhilarating statement. These leotards were not just about performance; they were a fashion statement, a rebellious spirit.
However, there were also quieter whispers in the air. I wandered into the dance studio at the Royal Ballet, still so quintessentially British, and spotted the traditional leotards - delicate, simple and beautifully graceful. And that's where I realised the beauty of it all - the sixities embraced all sides of fashion, and the leotard wasn't left out.
Speaking of embrace, my darling readers, I had the privilege of witnessing a most incredible performance at the Royal Opera House. Oh, the drama, the spectacle, the magic! This wasn't just any performance; this was 'The Rite of Spring', an explosive choreography by Stravinsky, renowned for its revolutionary movement. This groundbreaking dance performance wasn't just a visual feast but an embodiment of that audacious, unconventional spirit of the 1960s, and of course, the dancers looked absolutely smashing! The combination of sleek, powerful lines, flowing movements and dramatic costumes – everything about it was both exciting and utterly fascinating.
So, let’s dive back into leotard fashion for a minute! My quest continued to unravel the world's favourite leotards - and my darling friends, you'll be surprised by how many fashion designers started to feature them in their creations. Designers like Mary Quant, known for her miniskirts, were making a name for themselves. They embraced the spirit of the times by experimenting with bold shapes and striking designs, transforming everyday garments - including the trusty leotard - into symbols of individuality and creative expression. The designers who were the biggest fans of leotards in the sixties? Pierre Cardin, Coco Chanel, and Oscar de la Renta, the biggest names in fashion were incorporating leotards as part of everyday looks!
Of course, being a ballerina through and through, I had to investigate how the ballet world was adapting to this exciting era. It seemed, darling friends, the classic 'Pink Perfection' was still in high demand for ballet training - yet there was something different! I found ballet schools were using this incredible, shiny, sparkly pink Lycra. It offered the flexibility and support required, with a touch of colour!
Oh! The vibrant fabrics, the stunning colours - I had never experienced such a leotard-licious period in history.
In the bustling heart of Carnaby Street, I noticed the trend was more than just bold - it was rebellious and youthful. Think colourful patterns, daring shapes and an unconventional style! For a dancer who enjoys a good vintage bargain hunt, you’d be surprised what gems you could discover for under £5! I nabbed myself a striking red, green, and yellow striped leotard! This, my friends, is the power of vintage fashion, offering style at a price even my Derbyshire purse can manage!
As my adventure drew to a close, my head was filled with ideas. How I wished my blog readers could witness the world's most iconic music festivals. Think Woodstock, Monterey Pop, and the Isle of Wight - think a generation shedding their inhibitions, celebrating their newfound freedoms. Oh darling, those festival goers, some were sporting, yes, you guessed it, leotards - vibrant ones, sparkling ones, and even some very stylish ones adorned with the peace sign! Those bold designs were a powerful message of the sixties - one that, to my eternal joy, echoed into the decades that followed! I'd have loved to have been there - my pink tutu ready for the crowds!
Of course, my travels are not always about dancing. There are so many things that made 1969 such an amazing time to be a ballerina! I loved finding out that 12th December 1969 saw "Hair", one of the first Broadway rock musicals to be opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London! I saw "Fiddler On The Roof", a play featuring a stunning dance scene where all the Jewish men from the small village of Anatevka danced. You can guess that my little ballerina heart went aflutter when I spotted leotards - both in pink and black.
But then came the icing on the cake - 1969 also saw the premiere of ‘Tommy’, a rock opera written and composed by The Who! I don’t have words to describe this magnificent, thrilling spectacle! The use of colour, costumes, and that explosive energy that permeated the very air, the very music, it was a masterpiece. And the most brilliant news, darling, is that some of Tommy's dance sequences were based around the leotard! Imagine – ballet moves with an undeniable rock ‘n roll vibe! What a treat for the eyes! The iconic red, white and black colours, and that electrifying choreography – simply magical!
My friends, I simply love time travelling to 1969. The fashion, the energy, the movements and the iconic leotards! The way those brave individuals, pushing boundaries and shaking up fashion, left their mark!
Before I return to the future, and the streets of Derbyshire, my dear friends, remember the time travel journey is all about remembering our roots in the past - those daring designers, the innovative musicians, the beautiful ballerinas, the rebels who turned a simple garment - the leotard - into an instrument for individual expression, all pushing boundaries and reminding us why the leotard still plays a role in fashion and the history of dance.
Keep shining brightly and let your true selves dance,
Emma x
P.S. Don’t forget to head over to www.pink-tutu.com for my latest adventures in the world of leotards and, of course, those oh-so-sparkly pink tutus.
