Hello darlings! Itâs Emma, your pink-tutu-loving time traveller, back again with another scintillating voyage into leotard history! This month, Iâm whisking us back to May 5th, 1978, a time when the world of leotard fashion was truly abuzz. Let me tell you, my shimmering pink time-travelling leotard took me on quite the adventure!
Now, you know how much I love my street ballet performances, donât you? It's how I fund my adventures in time! Well, before my leap, I had a rather delightful afternoon entertaining the folk in Derbyshire. My routine involved a sassy flamenco inspired sequence in my electric blue leotard with that gorgeous layered skirt (donât worry, I've added a photo in this post). Afterwards, the locals treated me to a delightful cream tea, with scones and clotted cream, oh so yummy! What better way to refuel for my big time travel trip, eh?
Right then, buckle your metaphorical seatbelts and get ready for a ride through leotard fashion's vibrant past!
London Calling: The Royal Balletâs Gala Performance
The first stop on our 1978 leotard journey is Covent Garden, the heart of ballet in London! You know, my heart absolutely skips a beat when I hear those words, âThe Royal Balletâ donât you? Well, this very day in 1978, The Royal Ballet was hosting a glamorous gala performance to celebrate their artistic director, Sir Frederick Ashton. It's been said that this grand event set the stage for a wave of fashion-forward innovation within the world of ballet. Now Iâve always loved Ashton's choreography for its playful energy and whimsical charm, which probably explains why I was absolutely tickled pink when I heard that they were featuring a brand-new design in this Gala - a new, vibrant pink ballet leotard designed by designer Peter Farmer. Imagine, a ballet costume that's both elegant and exciting. I have to confess, this news had me rushing straight to the nearest library to grab every issue of Dance and Dancers I could find.
Now, I must tell you about my very own fashion faux pas during this grand performance. Letâs just say, I forgot to pack an umbrella. You know, in 1978, rain seemed to follow me around like a naughty little shadow! My dear time-travelling leotard became damp, it certainly did not sparkle as much as it should, which was such a shame as there were loads of press photographers there that day. sigh
The Allure of the American Ballet Theatre
After soaking in the magnificence of London, I took a rather rapid flight over the pond, arriving in the United States, my leotard sparkling like a rainbow after the unexpected showers.
Now, letâs hop over to New York, where the American Ballet Theatre was in full swing, their beautiful dancers taking the stage. There was quite the buzz in the American Ballet Theatre in 1978 because theyâd just announced their new principal dancer. Imagine my delight when I saw it was the lovely Cynthia Gregory! It's been said that she embodied everything that a dancer of the era needed â athletic grace and a true ballerinaâs elegant style. Cynthia Gregory just radiates elegance. What a fantastic inspiration! And imagine, at this time, she was gracing the stage in one of the most coveted designs by the famous designer, Karinska. Youâll just have to read up on her. Letâs just say sheâs an absolute legend in the ballet costume design world! Now, Cynthia is a name I truly revere when it comes to graceful, graceful style and the pure artistry of ballet. And you know, as she gracefully dances across the stage, there's something almost mystical about seeing such captivating elegance in motion, wouldn't you say?
The International Dance Festival
As my journey continued, I made a quick stop at the "International Dance Festival" held in the glamorous city of Paris. It was packed with talent and buzzing with creativity. Can you imagine, I was lucky enough to be a few feet away from some of the worldâs greatest dance artists - Mikhail Baryshnikov, Gelsey Kirkland and Margot Fonteyn! They truly are inspirational. In those days, leotards often included these gorgeous lyrical long flowing skirts. Such elegance, the perfect marriage of movement and style! Just divine!
The Parisian Boutique: "L'Ătoile"
The next stop on our fabulous fashion adventure brought me to âLâĂtoile,â a little gem of a leotard boutique in the heart of Paris. This place was quite a sight to behold. A treasure trove of beautifully crafted leotards - I just adore that elegant French style, donât you? Imagine my glee as I explored the colourful world of the 1978 French ballet scene. "LâĂtoile" showcased the latest designs, featuring a dazzling array of styles and colors. They even had this gorgeous navy blue leotard adorned with intricate lace and sparkly beading - what a divine design, wouldn't you agree? Now, you see, this type of leotard - a piece of art, an elegant second skin â that's exactly what truly gets me going!
I couldn't resist taking home this exquisite midnight blue leotard. Now, if you look at my Instagram account (@emma_pinktutu), you can even see it featured in some of my photos from this particular trip! You will need to scroll through my posts for that specific Parisian journey! It certainly wasn't a surprise that after the dazzling performances, these leotards flew off the shelves. In those days, the French ballet scene really embraced individuality and it was lovely to see a diverse array of looks at performances. You can definitely feel the impact of "L'Ătoile" when you see how these ballet costumes were used at all these exciting performances! The leotard was so much more than just an article of clothing, it was truly an embodiment of an era's evolving spirit!
Now I need to let you go, my dears! You're all looking like pure joy with those lovely pink tutus I see, You look wonderful! The clock is ticking away, my pink time-travelling leotard is gleaming, and it's time to go and whip up a fabulous post about 1979 ballet! Remember, you are free to comment in the "comments" section, and follow me on my other social media accounts, I do love to read your comments, they are so uplifting! I will see you soon for my next journey into the fabulous world of leotard history!
Yours in pink tutus,
Emma
