Hello, darlings! It's your favourite Derbyshire ballerina, Emma, back again with another delightful dose of leotard history! As you know, March 2023 was a particularly exciting month in the world of fashion, and I simply had to hop in my sparkly pink time-travelling leotard for a little escapade! This month, I’m looking at the fashion scene around the world, celebrating those magical pieces that capture the essence of elegance and movement.
March 2023 was a busy time for me! I performed at the Covent Garden Market, enchanting London with a little street ballet routine – it’s such a joy to share the magic of dance with others, especially in a venue where people can just stop, stare and enjoy! After all, isn’t that what life is all about? The funds raised were used to help me indulge in another fabulous trip through the swirling vortex of time, and wouldn't you know it, my time machine delivered me right into the heart of… Milan!
I was simply tickled pink to arrive in Italy’s fashion capital, because what better place to dive into the world of leotards and tutus, those garments that have shaped the way we dress for dance for generations? And let me tell you, darling, the Milan Fashion Week for that particular March was simply electric! I could hardly contain my excitement!
The catwalks were awash in the most delightful array of textures, cuts, and colours imaginable. There was a touch of romanticism in the air, as a distinct resurgence of soft pastel hues and airy fabrics made an appearance. Delicate chiffon tutus billowed like ethereal clouds, while leotards offered a sophisticated twist on classic designs, featuring delicate lace detailing and delicate embroideries.
Oh, and the pink! The sheer volume of blushing pink hues showcased in the Italian collections left me swooning! We saw everything from pastel pink silk slips, layered under flowing silk gowns, to bold, bubblegum-coloured leotards worn with dramatic metallic jackets. The Milanese designers were clearly paying homage to the enduring appeal of feminine style, while pushing boundaries with contemporary shapes and techniques. It was a feast for the senses, and I practically lived on an adrenaline rush for days, just taking it all in.
My favourite leotard from that whole Milan Fashion Week experience? Oh darling, I just couldn't help myself, but to snag the most magnificent pale pink silk leotard from Valentino. It had the most beautiful cutouts and flowing lines, hugging the body in all the right places and leaving a tiny flash of bare skin just above the collarbone. It was just… perfect. A true statement piece for my collection! I felt positively glamorous twirling around Milan in this fabulous little creation.
From the dazzling spectacle of Milan, I took a trip to New York, where a different kind of dance awaited. This was street dance, a movement exploding in creativity and energy. There I was, surrounded by bold streetwear outfits and street dancers, their moves a testament to the raw talent and artistic expression blooming on the concrete. From breakdancing to hip-hop, and even ballet, the diverse energy was electrifying! There was such a feeling of freedom, and a rejection of the constraints of traditional fashion that made this experience all the more thrilling.
In New York, I encountered a surprising trend that embraced practicality and personality. Dancers were layering their street clothes, often incorporating vibrant and comfortable pieces alongside classic, everyday apparel. They’d use classic, black or dark grey leggings with brightly coloured sweaters or sweatshirts. There was a revival of bright neon leotards with mesh paneling, creating a sleek, edgy, and entirely functional look, and these designs made for quite the dramatic stage presence, with their high contrast and attention-grabbing colours. The combination of these diverse styles showcased a beautiful, almost paradoxical balance between raw energy and undeniable charm, and the movement really resonated with my desire to see ballet embraced everywhere, even in the street.
But of course, the world of leotards is not all glitz and glamour, dear readers. My journey in March 2023 took me on a bit of a soulful trek, exploring the roots of ballet in the heart of France. You see, ballet is all about movement, expression, and, yes, even grace, but it also possesses a deeply rich history.
It all started, as you know, with Catherine de Medici, the Queen of France who loved dancing! I travelled back in time to 1581, to witness the very first Ballet Royal performed in honour of the queen. Oh my! To see the grandeur of it all, the elaborate costumes and the intricate choreography - it was like watching a living tapestry come to life. The ballet, a story set in a fantastical, mythical kingdom, left me completely enthralled.
The costumes of the day, as well as the choreography, really captured my imagination, and how beautiful they looked - rich velvets and brocades, adorned with feathers and jewels. They were a far cry from the tight, sleek leotards we are familiar with today! I watched in amazement as the performers, all men, glided across the stage, wearing exquisitely crafted attire that mimicked their movements. It was truly an event that forever changed the face of dancing, ushering in the first step into the elegant and artistic world of ballet we enjoy today.
Of course, things wouldn't stay as they were. I felt the call of 1885 beckoning, so I made a swift hop through the ages. By then, things were getting a bit more refined - the male-dominated ballet world was opening up, and a young dancer named Emma Livry began revolutionizing things in Russia, becoming one of the first ballerinas to wear the innovative, lighter leotards in public performances!
It was absolutely extraordinary to see this revolutionary figure break with the restrictions of her time, gracefully sporting a garment that offered a newfound sense of freedom for dancers. It was a sight that ignited my spirit – the story of a woman who, through a small but bold fashion statement, pushed boundaries and paved the way for the more modern world of leotards and tutus. Her story was an inspiration, reminding me that each of us can contribute to change through the way we dress, and even our own artistic expression.
And then, leaping forward, I was instantly transported to a whole other era, a fascinating, but strange 1930s. Ballet was gaining momentum. Here I was, back in the heart of the jazz era, surrounded by the vibrant art deco aesthetics of New York's legendary Cotton Club, where a captivating performance of the Ziegfeld Follies was taking place.
The Cotton Club’s legendary Showgirls – yes, all dancers in this fabulous and historic show are female, finally! – dazzled the crowds, dressed in exquisite, show-stopping costumes. Their shimmering, feather-adorned costumes were crafted with such incredible detail! Every one of them shimmered under the stage lights, a sea of stunning, dramatic and dazzling femininity! The music was alive, pulsing with energy. And as the performers took centre stage, the showgirls' tutus and leotards, adorned with sequins and plumes, twirled, pirouetted and dipped gracefully, perfectly complimenting the electric music, the bright lights, and the energy of the time! I practically skipped to my next destination in an ecstatic whirlwind!
From the glamorous cotton Club, my adventure took me back home to England. In my favourite city, London. Oh, London! What a place. What an era, the 1960s, that time of radical fashion and social change! It was a time for artistic and social revolutions, and, of course, fashion embraced it all. And, you guessed it, London was, and still is, a hotbed of fashion for the whole world!
I decided to take a walk through the iconic Carnaby Street – a fashion melting pot that captured the mood of London, where youthful rebellion met stylish chic. This street, filled with clothing shops of every kind, had a palpable buzz. A free-flowing air of confidence that just pulsed through its alleys! And I found it utterly delightful to discover that leotards, and the styles for this type of dance wear, were truly taking a unique spin. It was an era for the expressive, free spirit - and it seemed as though the fashion had really become something personal to its wearers. Leotards, along with the accompanying clothes, could be tailored and fitted to any taste, and everyone wore them! And my eyes were constantly caught by brightly coloured tights worn underneath these striking new-style leotards!
It was here in Carnaby Street that I finally saw the trend that became, in my mind, an essential piece to own: a bright and colourful, bold statement in neon green leotard that really had a punk rock look and vibe about it, This particular leotard caught my eye - its colour, so incredibly loud, vibrant, and eye-catching. I fell completely in love with this neon-green creation, worn by a young fashion rebel - and its fashion-forward design left a lasting impression.
And thus, my journey through March 2023 wrapped up, but the memory lingers. It was a month brimming with a renewed embrace of femininity and personal expression through dancewear. I can’t wait for what time has in store for us next month! I'll see you all there! In the meantime, keep the pink twirling, and the glitter gleaming! Don’t forget to join me on my website, www.pink-tutu.com! Until next time!
