Gymnastics isn’t all flips and tricks – there’s lycra and glitter too.
One of the best parts about working in this industry is seeing all the beautiful
outfits that walk through the door. Worn by people of all ages and experience levels,
leotards are an instantly recognisable symbol of gymnastics. But despite its proud
presence in modern dance, its history is longer than you may expect.
French acrobat Jules Léotard invented the Leotard in the mid-1800s. He pioneered the piece during a performance in which he wore a full piece of stretchy material, allowing him to perform his acrobatics with ease. He was famous for pushing the boundaries with trapeze and debuted the clothing item to show off his pyschique while not restricting his movement. But this isn’t all, Léotard, who initially studied law at university, invented the flying trapeze in 1859. His live performance without a safety net was revolutionary at the time, and landed him as a hall of fame gymnast.
Despite this, his fashion innovation didn’t catch on until the 1920s-30s. They were initially made from polyester and were strictly intended to be worn by men, but they now famously have a unisex appeal. In fact, the 1980s saw the invention of Spandex and Lycra, allowing for more elasticity. With this, leotards transcended the world of athletics and became a huge fashion trend. They’re part of major pop culture moments, such as being worn by Madonna, Taylor Swift and Beyonce on stage.
Perhaps the most crucial moment in the leotard’s history, however, was the 2012 London Olympics. A design by GK Elite, worn by Gabby Douglas, was adorned with approximately 1,118 Swarovski crystals and cost around $1,200 to produce. Gymnasts at this level are often sponsored for global competitions, making spending this type of money on a leotard possible. Other huge companies producing leotards for top athletes include Alpha Factor, Quatro and OZONE.
Their rise in popularity allowed for an increase in inclusivity; leotards are
available in a huge array of skin-tones and sizes, and they’re used in ice skating,
gymnastics, dance, cycling and many more activities. Nowadays, cotton and velvet
are used in leotards, but a shift in the industry has seen a rise in eco-friendly,
sustainable fabrics being used to create the designs. There are very specific, high-performance leotards too – aero-dynamics and fluidity is always on a designer’s mind. Infact, some gymnastics teams opt for grip-enhancing, anti-slip fabrics to minimize any safety hazards.
Our House of GPA branded leotards come in pink and black, with comfort and flexibility guaranteed for your child. So, next time you drop your little one off to a class at the house of GPA in their favourite sparkly suit, remember the pieces have an even richer history.
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