Hello lovelies! It's your favourite Derbyshire girl, Emma, back from another fab time-travelling adventure! I've got a positively pink and delightful story to tell you this month, all thanks to my shimmering, sparkly pink leotard - it truly is the most magical garment I own.
This time, the magic carried me all the way back to the 3rd of March 1988. Goodness, just the thought of that year makes my heart flutter with excitement - can you imagine, darling? Madonna was on the charts, the Berlin Wall was still standing (believe it or not!), and leotards were just… well, amazing! I mean, can you imagine how excited I was to travel back and explore the leotard scene of 1988?! It's like a dream come true!
As I popped out of the swirling pink sparkles of my leotard and into the bustling 1988 scene, the air buzzed with an energy I could almost taste. I, of course, immediately hopped into a chic little shop, it was just like something out of Pretty Woman – filled to the brim with all sorts of darling things, including, of course, the most beautiful leotards! There were the classic black ones with delicate mesh details, and vibrant shades of teal, jade and turquoise - just divine!
And then my eyes caught a vision in a display case, hidden behind a swirling curtain: a pink leotard. And not just any pink, my darlings, this was a bold, daring fuchsia pink. You know how much I love pink! It was covered in shiny silver sequins and matched a delicate tutu – and, oh my goodness, it was everything I ever dreamed of! It just radiated '80s vibes and was absolutely perfect!
I felt a sudden burst of excitement as I realized – it had a very specific look about it. Something was just so…. professional about it. I asked the shop owner, and she told me it was from a renowned ballet brand, "Capezio". She said it was all the rage amongst ballet dancers and the biggest names in dance – that just sealed it. You see, my lovelies, my whole mission in life is to get everyone dancing and feeling confident and pretty! And in that moment, I knew I had to share this 1988 pink wonder with all of you.
Naturally, after finding the pink dream, I felt a bit peckish and had to have a proper spot of afternoon tea at the quaintest little café, adorned with pastel flowers and checkered tablecloths. It felt so cosy! While indulging in scones, jam, and a pot of tea (with two sugars, of course), I thought about the most important things I'd learned during my trip.
Firstly, the 80's were all about bright, bold colours, with everything from leotards to dresses being infused with bold pops of colour. It's definitely not your typical classic leotard, that’s for sure. But that's precisely why it’s so incredibly charming, you know? It's just such a joyful explosion of expression! It feels a bit punk rock even, with the sharp lines and sequins.
I found it fascinating that 1988 was also a time of innovation, where modern dance and classical ballet were exploring exciting new frontiers, influencing the design of leotards – adding texture, cut outs and a touch of grunge. I spotted a wonderful example of this on stage when I caught a performance at a local theater. The leotards used were very streamlined, yet a bold flash of red added to the leotards’ arms added such a dramatic edge.
On the streets of 1988, leotards had moved out of the studio and onto the streets. It wasn’t quite as common to see people rocking tutus out in public, although a handful of confident individuals weren’t afraid to turn heads. And, of course, that is precisely my passion - to create an environment where everyone feels free to express themselves through dance and the art of the leotard, in all its forms, everywhere in the world.
My heart feels full of happy thoughts, just thinking about the vibrant, fun atmosphere of 1988 and its absolutely unique approach to leotard fashion. It really was the perfect example of embracing bold colours and a touch of whimsy in dancewear. It certainly was an adventure I’ll cherish, and one that I know will stay with me forever, a true testament to the beauty of fashion throughout the ages.
That’s all from me for now, darling! Remember to keep dancing and don’t forget to have fun - it’s truly the most important thing of all. You know, this pink leotard and I have an exciting future together, full of new adventures! Who knows, maybe next month we'll go to 2035, and see what all the hype’s about the future of leotard fashion - I just can't wait to see!
Be sure to let me know your thoughts on leotards from 1988!
Don't forget to visit us on www.pink-tutu.com for more fun and fashion! And for even more adventures with Emma, you can follow us on Instagram at @pinktutu!
See you soon lovelies!
Emma xx
