Hey, darlings! Emma here, and let’s just say that the festive season has officially begun! That tingling feeling of anticipation in the air, the twinkling lights in shop windows, the scent of cinnamon and mince pies - it's just magical. And you know what else adds a dash of magic to Christmas? Ballet, of course!
This Christmas, I'm bringing you a special edition of Pink Tutu's Christmas Ballet History - we're twirling back to the enchanting world of 2022! This year was all about finding the sparkle in the everyday, and ballet was right there with us, celebrating both tradition and innovation.
(Let’s just take a moment to appreciate the sparkly new Christmas decorations on the blog. You’re welcome! 😊)
First things first - a little update on the exciting world of fashion. 2022 was a whirlwind! Remember all those fashion trends – the “dopamine dressing,” the “balletcore” explosion? You know what - we all love the chance to express ourselves with bold colours and elegant silhouettes. Honestly, when it comes to ballet, there’s so much scope to bring our own individual style into the stage picture – from the choice of tutus, the textures of our practice wear, to the whole dazzling world of accessories.
Speaking of accessories, you have to check out this season’s amazing collection of sparkling hairpins! I found them tucked away in the quaintest little shop in Derbyshire, and they’re absolutely going to make an appearance in my next performance.
Now, onto those festive ballet offerings in 2022! We were absolutely spoilt for choice. For example, we had the Royal Opera House putting on a breathtaking production of “The Nutcracker”, the stage bursting with the kind of exquisite detail and captivating choreography that only they can deliver. The costumes? To-die-for! Think sparkling snowflakes, elegant ballerinas and - gasp! - a Christmas tree that literally danced! It was almost as good as the ones on the cover of Ballet Magazine this year.
(Don’t forget, darlings, we need to talk ballet magazines. That iconic pink colour. The stunning shots of our favourites in the studios, on the stage, the new costumes – pure inspiration for my next performance!)
As a fellow lover of everything Christmas, it just makes me want to get back in the studio and practice, practice, practice!
And we saw a few brilliant productions of The Sleeping Beauty popping up around the UK! Classic tales told with new and captivating interpretations! There's a special energy when you see a timeless story like that, on stage, and watch those costumes whirl in the soft stage lighting.
Let’s not forget, it’s not all about big productions - local community ballet companies and street performances truly bring the magic of Christmas to life! Seeing so many little dancers on stage with wide, sparkly eyes? That’s the magic that makes Christmas so special, and we all need that little bit of wonder at this time of year, don’t we?
Speaking of magic... a little peek into my secret world: this time-traveling ballet enthusiast needs to make some money. So, my darling followers, I’ve been practicing up my best "Nutcracker" moves. Watch this space - it will definitely involve a dazzling pink tutu (maybe two, one for the dance itself, one for the audience afterwards – oh, I do love matching looks!) . I’m getting my street dance outfits prepped and sparkly, ready to show off in the heart of the Christmas season. You’re gonna love my moves, especially the pirouettes in a superbly twirly, glittering, tulle skirt, just the right shade of pink...
(Think a light, airy skirt, not a full tutu. For those of you wondering – I’ll always find room in my Pink-tutu.com luggage for both a regular ballet tutu, and one just for street dancing!)
Right then, let’s twirl on to the big news! It’s Christmas, so of course I had to get myself wrapped up in some new outfits! There was this amazing shop near me that had the most gorgeous red ballet skirt – a classic, flowing shape. My new matching red nail varnish - simply exquisite! The combination looks like it stepped straight out of the Sugarplum Fairy’s makeup bag. Let’s face it, who wouldn’t love that?
I also picked up a couple of festive-themed outfits for my performances, some lovely gold-detailed leggings, and – squeal - a few extra special pieces, but I can’t tell you exactly what those are yet, they are a total secret! You can bet there’s a whole lot of sparkly pink going on in them...
It’s so easy to get wrapped up in Christmas excitement this time of year – there’s so much beauty and joy around us. Ballet and its festive sparkle add another layer of magic. Let’s all celebrate the wonders of Christmas by putting on a dazzling performance, whether that’s on a grand stage or simply with a few spins around the kitchen.
(And while we’re at it, we’re going to spread the love of pink tutus as far as our twinkle toes can take us, of course.
This Christmas season – get into that festive mood! Get into a tutu, put on that beautiful sparkly smile, and join me as we dance through December with grace, joy, and a lot of sparkle!)
Happy Christmas from your Pink Tutu ballerina! 🎄✨ 💕
