Hello, darlings! It's Emma, your resident Pink Tutu time traveler, back with another thrilling leotard-laden adventure! This month, I'm taking you right back to the 1911 – a year full of exciting developments in dancewear, a time before my beloved tutus had taken over the world!
You see, I'm not just about shimmering pink tutus and elaborate spins (though, don't get me wrong, those are definitely my passion!), but also a lover of leotard history. Understanding how these fabulous garments evolved makes my fashionista heart sing!
I must admit, I couldn't wait to slip into my time travelling leotard - a shimmery, sparkly masterpiece that even the Queen herself would covet. It's a touch more modest than my regular tutu, but still perfectly pink, and full of glitz and glamour! A little magical dusting, and I'm off, ready to explore the wonders of leotard fashion in 1911.
Leotard Love in 1911: A World of InnovationOh, how exciting! As I arrived in the world of 1911, I realised I was right in the middle of a real fashion revolution! Back then, dancers wore rather practical cotton undergarments under their dance skirts - no hint of my adored leotard!
However, there was a burgeoning desire for a more athletic and expressive dance style. This brought about the need for something a little more fitting! Imagine - freedom of movement and style combined!
So what was the exciting innovation? Well, the beginning of a revolution! I stumbled upon a fascinating little shop tucked away on a bustling Parisian street. Inside, I spotted some revolutionary creations - early precursors to the leotard, a type of close-fitting, elastic undergarment that enabled freedom of movement and flexibility. I must say, they were made of rather less extravagant materials - like worsted wool, linen or silk.
But even with their simple fabrics, the sense of form, fit, and the beginning of that glorious ballet shape made my heart flutter! The shops also offered some fantastic tights, although they were somewhat different from today. Made with wool or silk, and very expensive to boot, they came in a limited selection of shades.
My, what exciting changes were brewing!
A Night at the Opera – An Inspiring Fashion SpectacleI felt a bit like a time travelling butterfly flitting from one stunning location to another - my trusty sparkling pink leotard shimmering in the sun. And what could be more inspiring than a night at the opera! Oh my, the opulent costumes! My imagination ran wild with all the creative potential!
From the dazzling head-to-toe sparkle of the leading ballerina, right down to the intricate details on the chorus line's beautiful costumes, there was just such an amazing sense of theatre. They looked fabulous - although not very practical - with layers of tulle and silks forming grand bell-shaped skirts.
They made my modern tutu designs seem tame! What incredible inspirations were taking shape right before my eyes!
I imagine these elaborate stage designs would inspire modern couture houses! From this point in history, leotard fashion started evolving at a phenomenal pace. It felt just the tip of the iceberg for me – I could feel there was so much more to come. I even had a few ideas of my own to explore for my next post!
The Pink Tutu Revolution in 1911Being a huge fan of pink tutus myself, it might seem a little odd for me to find myself in 1911!
"How on earth did you do it?", you might ask!
Well, I certainly don't want to give away all my trade secrets – it wouldn’t be very magical would it? But I did find it interesting to see that pink, back in 1911, was the color associated with masculine fashion. In a twist of fashion fate, this colour was even worn in boxing and other competitive sports, and a shade that we often call "baby pink" today.
A very different kind of pink from the color we wear on our pink tutu brigade!
As I stepped back into my magical pink sparkly leotard and whizzed back to 2011, I was thinking about how quickly trends shift and change. Imagine – we're living in an exciting time for leotard fashion, where imagination, expression, and beauty all come together. From ballet to dancewear to street style, the leotard has gone through a grand makeover, and has earned a fabulous spot in our fashion lexicon.
This 1911 journey, just as every one I make through the years, was all about reminding myself what a precious thing fashion is! To make it work you need creative flair and bold confidence, as well as a touch of sparkle and a whole lot of pink tutus.
As always, darlings, keep that pink tutu ready to twirl and until next time… Happy dancing!
Lots of Love and Twirls,
Emma
