| The dance leotard has become hugely successful | | | | the Alhambra Theatre in London's Leicester Square. |
| over a relatively short period of time. It was developed | | | | Here, Léotard's performance was carried out over |
| by a truly revolutionary French acrobatic performer | | | | the heads of diners which proved to be incredibly |
| named Jules Léotard who developed the art of | | | | popular. |
| trapeze. His immense success as a trapeze artist | | | | Several years after his death, Léotard's maillot |
| helped popularise this one-piece garment which he | | | | became known as the leotard, and today continues to |
| used to call his maillot and has now lived on to bear his | | | | be worn by millions of dancers of all disciplines and |
| name. | | | | abilities from around the world. When we consider that |
| Léotard, the son of a gymnastics instructor was | | | | this garment has been around for just a relatively short |
| born in Toulouse, France. He originally set out to study | | | | period of time, the fact that it remains so popular |
| Law and after passing all of his exams, it seemed | | | | among dancers today is a testament to the legacy |
| almost certain he would join the legal profession. | | | | that Léotard has left. The reason behind this legacy |
| However, at the age of 18 he began to experiment | | | | is that Léotard needed his maillot to allow for |
| with trapeze bars, ropes and rings which were | | | | completely unrestricted movement in much the same |
| suspended over a swimming pool. Soon afterwards, | | | | way that today's dancers do too. Just like Léotard's |
| Léotard left his prospects of joining the legal | | | | maillot, the modern day leotard provides a snug, |
| profession behind as he joined the Cirque Napoleon. | | | | formfitting all-in-one piece of dancewear that help's |
| It was November 12, 1859 when Léotard made his | | | | accentuate the dancer's performance. |
| first public appearance as a trapeze artist. After this, | | | | Over the years the dance leotard has developed into |
| he became the first ever performer to complete a full | | | | many different styles such as tank, cap sleeve, |
| mid-air somersault as he jumped from one trapeze to | | | | camisole, polo neck and long sleeved, and within each |
| the other. His act consisted of him jumping between | | | | of these there is a multitude of variations. Furthermore, |
| three trapezes over a period of about twelve minutes | | | | it has become synonymous with styles of dance such |
| after which he would complete a full mid-air somersault | | | | as ballet and jazz for which getting the right type of |
| before landing on a carpet-covered safety mat. In 1861, | | | | dance leotard is considered just as important as |
| Léotard moved to London where he appeared at | | | | getting the right pair of dance shoes. |
