Hello darlings! Happy New Year, you gorgeous lot! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things pink and fabulous, particularly as it pertains to leotards, tutus and that irresistible mix of ballet fashion and street style!
It's Emma here, your Derbyshire lass, ready to take you on another dazzling journey through time! This month, we're leaping back to the iconic year 1983. Fancy a twirl down memory lane with me? Of course you do!
Now, picture this. The world's awash in neon colours, big hair, and shoulder pads that would make a football player envious. The music's pumping with synth-pop beats and Madonna is the queen of everything. But guess what? There's still space for us leotard lovers! And what a time to be alive for leotard fashion!
We're going on a double bill this month. First, a performance, darling! I mean, how can I resist the lure of the stage, especially when my own magical, pink-sparkling time travelling leotard is begging for a dance? I'm in London, naturally, the capital of dazzling performances! It's the perfect place for a bit of ballet on the eve of the new year. I always say, a bit of plié before a New Year's toast will sort you right out! And speaking of ballet, my favourite company, the Royal Ballet, are performing The Nutcracker at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. I've heard the tutus this year are to die for - layers of shimmering, voluminous tulle, in the most enchanting shades of white, gold and sparkling ice blue, to reflect the magic of the season. Just breathtaking! And to imagine, back in 1892 when Tchaikovsky composed the score, leotards and tutus would have looked so different! Those wonderful costume designers who took their inspiration from the fantastical worlds of Hoffmann’s story have come so far. But then, the joy of ballet is how timeless and elegant it can be!
Secondly, and speaking of fashion, let's do a little leotard history research! Back in 1983, in the world of gymnastic leotards, American gymnast Mary Lou Retton won hearts and the first Olympic gold for a US female gymnast in the women's all-around, and she was a style icon of her day! Talk about making history in a leotard. Mary Lou wasn't the first Olympic gymnastics gold medalist but she is, undoubtedly, an inspiring fashion icon, especially with the world obsessed with the 80's era. I remember those colourful leotards that had me pirouetting about the living room! And who could forget those leggings, all the rage in the eighties! Now, leggings are all the rage, and have certainly grown into a staple for all dancers, ballet or otherwise! And who am I to resist a bit of comfy stretchy goodness when it comes to leotard wear! A pair of perfectly fitting leggings under a chic leotard or a cute skirt, they are just essential for a busy dance enthusiast! It's so exciting seeing how fashion comes full circle! But speaking of coming full circle, how is it I find myself back in London after just spending last month dancing up a storm on the streets of Paris with the famous Cirque du Soleil! (Did I tell you about the incredible rainbow tutus? Absolutely fabulous! All the colours of the rainbow on a stage designed to transport you to a mystical, fairytale world - divine!)
And to end my monthly dose of time travel leotard love, it wouldn't be a Pink-Tutu.com post without a shoutout to some of the fabulous finds I've spotted in 1983 London! From the classic ballet stores like "Dancewear International", and the gorgeous shop on Bond Street, "La Mode" – where you could literally get lost in the glorious gowns, tutus, and everything in between – to vintage and second-hand stores bursting with gems, there's a leotard and tutu waiting for everyone! You simply cannot resist a spot of leotard shopping on a New Year’s day!
Of course, being the street performer I am, a quick jaunt to Camden Town Market is an absolute must! That's where all the edgy, creative and, well, fabulously colourful street styles come alive. Oh, the vibrant leotard fashions I find in these quirky corners!
I even stumbled upon this amazing independent dancewear shop in a back alley! Turns out, they've been running since the early 1950s! Imagine, the leotard fashion that graced the stage in the time of Princess Margaret! Imagine the ballerinas who wore the tutus that grace the shelves here today! It just makes me realize how our leotard love story is something that truly resonates through time.
It's all just proof that no matter where we find ourselves in time, our love for the leotard stays strong! That feeling of twirling in a beautiful tutu, feeling the silk against your skin, knowing you can achieve anything you set your mind to…it's magic! And magic is timeless, darling!
Until next time, keep spreading the pink tutu love! And don't forget to check out my street performances at Covent Garden in London – my little contribution to spreading leotard joy all over the world! You never know, you might find me there twirling in a new tutu and inspiring you all to put on a pink one too!
Love and leotards,
Emma.
(PS. Be sure to check out Pink-Tutu.com's shop for the latest in leotard and tutu trends! I even have some fabulous vintage pieces for sale, perfect for adding a touch of 1983 style to your wardrobe!)
