Hello darlings, and welcome back to Pink-Tutu! It’s your girl Emma here, straight from a whirlwind trip through the annals of time in my trusty, shimmering pink leotard. I’m not even going to lie, this month’s journey has been particularly epic! Just wait until you hear all about it!
Before we delve into the time-hopping shenanigans, I want to gush about a recent performance! I've been doing some street ballet in my pink tutu, and let me tell you, Derbyshire has never seen anything quite like it! A delightful little granny, with her poodle on a pink lead, even stopped to offer a scone and a cuppa. Now that's what I call community support! The little fella loved the show, though he did keep trying to nibble my tutu – very cheeky!
Right, now let's get down to the nitty-gritty of August 2016!
My time-traveling adventures took me to… 1926! And oh my goodness, you wouldn’t believe the leotard scene! Imagine this: a world where the leotard is still evolving. I'm talking beautiful, loose-fitting, flowing silhouettes, almost like flowing skirts, just in a stretchier fabric! It was truly a stunning time to be a ballerina.
I met the most incredible dancer at the Ballets Russes performance that month, at the Covent Garden Opera House in London. (Oh, to see that legendary company live, my heart could have burst!). Her name was Alexandra Danilova. She was an absolute sensation, dancing in a leotard that seemed to radiate elegance. It was crafted from soft, luxurious fabrics that moved with her like liquid silk!
And you know what, lovelies? We bonded over our love of pink. Now, this Alexandra wasn't wearing a full-blown tutu, but she did have this exquisite pink sash draped over her leotard. It had the most amazing sequins and fringe, all swirling and glittering as she danced! We talked for hours about the joy of bringing colour to the stage. She even gave me a little glimpse into her own leotard collection – a real treasure trove of history!
It was the perfect inspiration for my latest street ballet performance. A little tango with some Parisian flair – think the Belle Epoque era but with a little 2016 twist!
I was inspired, that’s for sure! Back in 2016 I found myself obsessed with leotard fashion – the balletcore trend had begun to really take hold! From designers like Rosie Assoulin to Lemaire (a favourite for the street-style stars!) there was such an exciting fusion of ballet and fashion going on. You couldn't move for the beautiful pink tutus being worn in street-style editorials, it was absolutely glorious!
There was even a leotard resurgence amongst the top runway shows, with designers like Stella McCartney and Marni presenting some gorgeous designs, combining performance-ready silhouettes with sleek fabrics and bold colours. They were taking leotards back to their roots – celebrating that fusion of fashion and movement that's been so ingrained in their history. It was a true fashion revival!
This August 2016, a new exhibition opened at the V&A Museum in London, titled " Ballet: A Century of Dance. “ It was an absolute dream for any ballet enthusiast. Stunning historical costumes and performances, plus an interactive timeline of leotard evolution! My kind of history lesson, wouldn’t you say?
So many leotards and tutus, so little time! You can bet I got my hands on some amazing photos and memorabilia from the show! You’ll be seeing some sparkly pink-tutu-fied Instagram posts all month, I can guarantee it!
But don’t think I neglected my own leotard collection during this journey. Oh no! I got to visit the most divine vintage shops, overflowing with silk leotards in every colour imaginable. One even had a dusty, vintage pink tutu, so I simply had to snatch it up! You can bet I’m already dreaming up a street ballet routine in this stunning find. It will be epic!
It really has been an incredible journey. If you've been thinking about wearing pink tutus – go for it! It's your time! And don’t forget to keep an eye on www.pink-tutu.com, you never know when I might have some more vintage treasures to share, or where our next time-travel escapade will lead!
Until next time, darlings,
Love and sequins,
Emma.
P.S. – Don’t forget to send your ballet and leotard fashion inspiration my way! I'd love to hear what makes your heart dance!
P.P.S. – Did you know I have a little side hustle on *Etsy, selling hand-sewn pink tutus?* Get in touch, and we can create your dream leotard, my dear. Your own little bit of history, made by yours truly!
P.P.P.S. I almost forgot! Did you see the amazing pink sequin outfit Taylor Swift wore at The 1989 World Tour in August 2015?! It's the ultimate pink-tutu inspiration. Now, imagine that with a sparkling, time-traveling leotard! Oh my…
