Hello darlings! It's your favourite pink-tutu-clad time-traveller, Emma, back with another monthly jaunt through leotard history! October 10th, 1991 – the day the world was buzzing with exciting leotard developments, and my shimmering pink leotard was ready to soak it all up!
Now, I'm a girl who loves her colour, especially when it comes to pink! And believe me, darling, even back in 1991, pink was a statement! From delicate ballet pinks to bolder neon pinks, the leotard world was ablaze with shades that made hearts flutter and tutus twirl.
This month, I found myself whisked back to London, specifically the Royal Opera House. I mean, it's practically a temple to leotard fashion! 1991 was a big year for the ROH - their new production of The Sleeping Beauty had just premiered, starring a young ballerina named Sylvie Guillem, who has to be one of the most elegant creatures to ever grace a stage! Her leotard? Divine! I’m talking beautiful deep burgundy, so rich and elegant, the kind that makes you feel like a queen even while stretching in the barre. And her tutu? The kind that dreams are made of! Layers of shimmering tulle, creating a magical cloud of pink around her as she pirouetted across the stage. I felt like I was living inside a fairytale!
Speaking of magical, that’s what I find myself living when I’m time travelling in my sparkly pink leotard! It’s practically got its own special power, transporting me wherever I want, when I want! All it takes is a little twirl, a bit of pink sparkle and voila! Off I go!
Speaking of twirls, the Covent Garden street market was a hive of activity when I landed, all bustling with Londoners enjoying the October sunshine. So, you can bet your tutu that I made a little show of my own, attracting crowds with my sparkly pink leotard and a few acrobatically-gifted twirls. It’s the best way to raise funds for my time travel excursions, I have to say. A little bit of performance, a whole lot of sparkle and I’m good to go!
And it wouldn't be a time travel jaunt without a visit to a few boutiques, of course. Back then, the London scene was overflowing with some of the most amazing leotards. My personal favourites? There was this one, tucked away in a quaint shop in Notting Hill - the most stunning velvet leotard in a deep ruby red. Just imagining myself in that number was enough to send me into a giddy spin.
Then I had to try on the leotards at “Dancesport London”. My, oh my! Think luxurious textures, elegant lines, bold colours, the best selection in London for any dance performance! They even had their own line of pink tutus, imagine that, absolutely divine!
For any Derbyshire lass like myself, 1991 was all about keeping warm while still keeping those leotards looking fabulous. Thankfully, dancewear was already branching out into comfortable and stylish warm-up options. Remember that gorgeous, thick knitted pink sweater, with the little pearl buttons and the flattering v-neck? It was just the ticket for pre-ballet warmups or after-performance drinks. I still have a weakness for a classic, flattering dance-inspired sweater, if I’m honest, even with the sparkle of my pink leotard!
My trip back to October 10th, 1991 was a blast. This is what leotard history is all about: the beautiful evolution of dancewear, the iconic moments and, of course, the magic of tutus. Remember, darling, a pink tutu is not just a piece of clothing - it's a symbol of joy, grace and unbridled expression! So twirl your worries away, put on your pinkest outfit, and don't forget to check out my blog next month for a brand new journey into the captivating world of leotard history! Until next time, keep sparkling!
