Hello darlings! It's Emma here, and welcome to my little corner of the internet! It's time to jump into the Pink Tutu Time Machine, fasten your seatbelts, and get ready for another fabulous adventure! This month we're skipping through the ages and landing right in the midst of June 2018! Can you believe it's been five whole years? Seems like just yesterday I was doing a street ballet performance in that lovely vintage pink tutu I got in Paris, with all the tourists watching on. Now where did I put it?
So, my lovelies, as we've already reached that magical time of June, we've already whizzed past an absolutely dazzling performance by the Royal Ballet here in London. The Sleeping Beauty, with that gorgeous Aurora costume with the flowing pink tulle - oh, my heart skipped a beat! Speaking of The Sleeping Beauty, this is actually a very important date in the history of ballet because the ballet is being celebrated with a spectacular run at The Royal Opera House in London.
You might be thinking, "But Emma, what's so special about June 2018 in terms of leotards?" Oh, my dears, this is where things get oh so very interesting! Imagine my joy upon arriving here to find that the world of dancewear was in the throes of some really fascinating developments! It seems like everywhere I looked, from Covent Garden to Broadway, there was this exciting shift happening! You see, this June, there was a growing interest in a combination of comfort, style, and performance enhancing leotards - much like how our time travel tutu enhances my ability to visit the past. A bit of a paradox!
Firstly, we're seeing these incredibly exciting high-tech performance leotards - designed with revolutionary fabrics and these fabulous innovations to help dancers achieve a new level of movement and control! There's even one, the "AirFlow", made from special mesh, that apparently helps ballerinas breathe better when they are performing! I don't know if they are still using that model, I'd love to have a look and see how it performs - literally.
Secondly, there was a revival of this adorable retro-style in leotard fashion. You know, those cute little babydoll cuts, with that playful sweetheart neckline, oh, it’s so nostalgic, like stepping back in time, just a little, right? They also have these fun colours, a riot of blues and pinks! The perfect fit for any dancer with a hint of whimsy and who loves some colourful vintage charm, much like moi!
Also, there were so many vibrant patterns – geometric shapes and cool abstract designs on all these lovely leotards, with contrasting colours and details - it’s amazing what designers can achieve, they're just so brilliant, the level of craftsmanship in that era was mind-boggling!
Of course, you already know how I feel about my trusty pink tutu - I have quite a few now! I've learned that fashion history loves repetition and reinterpretation. They say everything old is new again. But for the real retro look, you want the original - like a true pink tutu devotee should. So, imagine my glee when, whilst popping in and out of my favourite vintage shops in London, I stumble upon an authentic 1930s, original pink tutu for an unbelievable bargain price! The vintage look, my darlings, is what truly gives you that timeless elegance. I almost died. I snatched it up for an absolute song! I just knew that a girl in pink wouldn't miss that one. I also got a cute pair of shoes, perfect for doing some ballet in Trafalgar Square!
But it wasn't just the fashion of leotards that was exciting back in June 2018! The whole dance world, you see, was a beautiful whirlwind of activity and creativity! We had some extraordinary productions gracing the stages. Swan Lake - I simply must admit that I adore a good classic ballet. A Swan Lake ballet is never disappointing, it just sets your heart aflutter! The story, the costumes, the choreography. We had some pretty innovative pieces coming out in this era - dance theatre in New York, contemporary in Paris, and oh, it just blew me away with so many new moves - but, of course, I still love the traditional ballets, they never cease to amaze. The stories, the emotion, the costumes - you can feel history itself, a touch of that wonderful magic in the air, my lovelies!
Of course, what would this post be without mentioning those brilliant little fashion shows that pop up like mushrooms after the rain! This is something I simply have to experience when time travelling. One such extravaganza took place in New York City - imagine all the glitz and glamour! I have a special fascination with New York’s Broadway. It's where they set the standard for high drama, a touch of showmanship - I love that - you get that feeling in their musicals!
Speaking of Broadway, I got the chance to check out some spectacular leotards for Broadway musicals. Think dazzling sequins, a splash of colour, oh it was glimmering under the spotlight. These are designed to help actors be at their very best during performances and look fabulous on the big stage - that is why they look incredible - all for the big stage, perfect for grabbing attention from the front row. My word! So sparkly! You have got to see those sequins in person, they are breathtakingly sparkly.
Oh my darlings, but it’s not all just about dancing and glamorous outfits. Don't you just love how fashion and ballet can just whisk you away, taking you to these new worlds and new places? For example, just this morning, in the heart of London, I happened to bump into this most delightful street artist with a canvas full of colourful pink hues - we even shared a conversation about tutus and the pink obsession, a touch of ballet inspiration. My word, his artwork really set off those pink tutus with its vibrantly pink hues! I'd never thought about that connection before! So, even something as simple as street art could inspire ballet and leotards, how cool is that?
Before we bid farewell for this month, I must say this – 2018, it really showed us how powerful fashion is, that feeling of inspiration and how it can influence people all across the globe. My dearest time travelling companions, go forth and share that spark of creativity with everyone! You never know where you might inspire others or who you might inspire – don't forget those amazing street performances!
Until next time, keep those pink tutus at the ready. And remember, you're beautiful, just like your pink tutu, in every shape and form! Until next time my lovely followers, I am signing off. I am ready for my next great time travelling adventure, but as you know, I'll keep my trusty time traveling leotard under wraps. Love you all!
Stay gorgeous!
Emma
Post Number 1914