Hello darlings! It’s Emma, your resident pink-tutu-loving, time-travelling ballerina extraordinaire, back with another exciting instalment from my #LeotardHistory adventures! This month, I’m taking you all the way back to October 10th, 1986!
Imagine it – the air alive with the sounds of the 80s, with big hair and even bigger shoulder pads! And as you all know, me and my magical, sparkly pink leotard have a knack for being where the fashion’s at. So, where do I even start?
It was such a buzz – this whole time-travelling thing still sends shivers down my spine. As I materialised in a flurry of shimmering pink, I knew I was in for a treat. Stepping onto a bustling New York street, the first thing that caught my eye was the vibrant energy – and, of course, the leotards!
It was amazing! You could hardly tell it was a few years after the dance craze of the 1970s! There was a real excitement about movement and freedom of expression in the air – you could feel it radiating from everyone in those leotards. There was a blend of practicality and fabulousness - think comfy Lycra in playful colours and designs, perfect for moving in!
You could see these wonderful leotards all over the place – in the studios, at the ballet classes, even just on the streets. There were brightly coloured ones, pastel ones, and everything in between. And I even spotted a few with dazzling diamantes - just the thing for a showstopping street dance!
Of course, the leotard of the day would be hard to choose but the ones that really got me going were these fabulous ‘Dance with Me’ creations by Rainbow Sparkle. You can just picture it – a leotard so shiny, it could be seen from space. Imagine my delight when I learned that the brand was based right here in my home county, Derbyshire, England. Talk about a trip down memory lane – for me, it felt like coming home.
But enough about leotards for now (though they were really captivating!), it’s time to delve into the wider fashion scene. I went to a couple of Broadway shows, and let me tell you, it was a veritable explosion of colour! You see, it’s always been important to me, you see, that everybody can find a way to incorporate a leotard in their style, even those who might think they can’t pull it off! I love how people have different styles but are unified by a love for expression! So many different shades, textures, cuts. Fashion was certainly bolder then!
The eighties were definitely an era of bold contrasts. Think bright neon hues paired with lavish jewellery. For me, it really brought out that adventurous side of dance. After all, isn't a ballet leotard all about celebrating those contrasting layers – a timeless design but ever changing style? There was just a sheer energy and creativity about it, and the leotards definitely reflected that.
I've always believed that street fashion should complement stage fashion! You just have to live in your leotard. Think oversized blazers, ripped jeans and killer boots with that vibrant pink tutu – it was absolutely exhilarating! It’s no wonder they say that the 80s were a truly iconic period in dance and fashion, it was just so effortlessly eye-catching. But the real beauty of the era is that it reminded everyone - that the way to be yourself is just to move.
But I didn’t just stay in the Big Apple, darling! After the exciting chaos of the city, I whisked myself to a Parisian ballet performance. My leotard even matched the pink accents in the beautiful Palais Garnier Opera House. The artistry was astounding, of course, the choreography was simply breathtaking, but the real highlight was the ballet’s costumes. Think sheer elegance with beautiful flowing tulle and stunning designs – the dancers looked like living works of art! You can practically feel the Parisian romance and magic, even to this day. It’s amazing to think of these performers wearing the same designs as some of my ballet heroines – what a truly magical and inspiring feeling!
The leotard was always the focus – but the tutu truly brought everything together - it was everything.
After Paris, I was feeling inspired and ready to see what the future of leotards held. Of course, there's only so much time in one month before I need to head back to the present. I knew it was time to return, and it was with a touch of sadness, and a big smile, that I left my 1986 leotard fashion odyssey behind! It's incredible to think that we can look back at past decades and see the beautiful evolution of a design as simple yet versatile as the leotard! It reminds me that although the trends may change, the magic of ballet, and our love for it, is something we can cherish throughout history.
Well darlings, that’s all from me for this month, but be sure to check back next time, as I’ll be heading to a new date, in a new decade! Until then, don’t forget to wear a pink tutu whenever and wherever you can.
Happy dancing!
Emma, the Pink Tutu Ballerina
