Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu enthusiast, and I'm absolutely thrilled to be taking you on another magical time-travelling adventure with me. As usual, I'll be dazzling you with the wonders of leotard history, all from the comfort of my sparkling pink leotard â which is surprisingly practical for travelling through time, I must say!
This month, we're heading back to June 1915. The air is alive with the buzz of summer, but war clouds hang heavy in the air. Iâm actually feeling a little apprehensive about landing in this period, to be honest. You know how I adore the delicate ruffles and lace of a vintage leotard⊠well, practicality seems to be the name of the game right now. Luckily, my trusty pink tutu brings a much-needed touch of whimsical flair to this serious setting.
My journey takes me straight to London for a special peek into the world of ballet. The stage lights were shining brightly at the Royal Opera House, where the legendary Diaghilev Ballets Russes were presenting a sensational performance of "Le Sacre du Printemps".
The buzz surrounding this show was truly electric! People were practically bursting with anticipation for Stravinsky's groundbreaking music and the provocative choreography of Nijinsky, pushing the boundaries of what dance could be. Now, I may adore a delicate tutu with the best of them, but even I have to admit that the costume design for this ballet was, shall we say, a little bold for my usual tastes!
Think dark and primal, not at all like the graceful tutus and graceful lines we usually see in ballet. We're talking stark black with minimalist ornamentation, evoking ancient rituals and pagan ceremonies. You might say this was a far cry from the elegant frothy tutus that usually adorn my dancing, but for this piece, it was just perfect, reflecting the wild energy of the ballet. The whole audience was gripped!
Now, I wouldnât be true to my name, "Emma," without finding some pink amidst the chaos of wartime Britain! You see, this was a time when the dance world was also seeing a boom in gymnastic outfits, perfect for the burgeoning world of physical fitness. And in my time-traveling hunt for a bit of pink on June 1915, I struck gold in a vintage catalog for sportswear! I discovered The "Lady Health", a remarkable brand known for its bright and daring colors â and it just so happens that their âhealth tightsâ came in an array of colours, including my beloved pink!
Just imagine: pink tights for a workout! I mean, this just wouldn't be possible today, would it? (Except maybe at a vintage fashion shoot - and let's be honest, a pink gym suit would be a smash hit on Instagram).
My dear readers, just think what Leotard history would have been like had gym-goers embraced bold, brightly-coloured sportswear a century ago! I must admit, I am a little heartbroken for not being able to find the exact model for my âEmmaâ collection just yet â I have the perfect inspiration for a stunning recreation! I'll be searching the antique shops, charity shops, and dusty old trunk fairs to unearth this unique gem â fingers crossed for finding a "Lady Health" outfit soon!
But my hunt didnât end there. My journey through this time period has shown me just how vibrant and innovative the leotard scene was back in 1915. For one, you simply had to visit Madame de lâOpĂ©ra's shop â I am so desperate to hop on my trusty pink tutu and revisit this magnificent boutique! Madame de lâOpĂ©ra was the leading lady for theatrical leotard fashions back in the day, stocking everything a ballerina or dancer could ever need! I imagine it must have been like stepping into a pink paradise! The sheer variety of textures, the sheer elegance and practicality of it all, plus the wonderful selection of colours and designs! Ah!
While the âLady Healthâ designs were bursting with practicality and an almost audacious splash of color, the leotards that were crafted for theatrical work still adhered to a more refined style, echoing the classic designs that were so iconic back then â and remain inspiring today. You can see those exquisite influences throughout the years, in those graceful leotards worn by the likes of the Ballets Russes dancers, a touch of delicate, hand-stitched femininity⊠ah! It was utterly enchanting, darling. I imagine this would have been the very same era that the original "Leotard" designer would have been creating his masterpieces. This historical research trip really was a dream come true. I simply adore uncovering little snippets of the world of leotards that took place so long agoâŠ
So, dear readers, this concludes my time-traveling trip to June 1915, a month packed with thrilling leotard developments! You can see, fashion - just like life - keeps on spinning. The past never fades completely, and with a touch of my pink-tutu magic, those vintage styles find their way back, sparking new trends that echo the past. Just like how âLady Healthâ and their brightly-coloured âhealth tightsâ remind me so much of todayâs high-end activewear trends⊠what goes around comes around, darling!
Keep an eye on your favourite pink-tutu fashionista, because you never know where I might end up next!
Until next month,
Emma xx
