Oh darling! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where it's always a pink tutu wonderland! It's Wednesday, so that means another week has whizzed by and another cosmic ballet adventure has been crammed into my schedule! Today's post, darlings, is dedicated to the fabulous, flamboyant city of New York City, a veritable tutu treasure trove with endless inspiration for my fabulous frocks and fancy footwork.
As I write, I’m nestled comfortably in my luxurious pink velvet chaise longue at the opulent The Carlyle hotel – can you imagine, the views from my window are to die for, all skyscrapers and sparkling lights, and it's like being on top of the world! (Of course, I had a whole photoshoot out on the balcony earlier, complete with twirls, jumps, and an oversized tulle skirt I snagged in Paris – we’ll talk about that Parisian escapade in next week's blog, you better believe it! 🤫)
Anyway, back to New York City… I arrived last Friday evening and since then, darlings, it's been non-stop twirling! My flight in was divine. I snagged a seat next to a retired ballerina who now dances for a troupe on the Moon, the coolest part was she had the whole back row section of the plane for her dance practice, so imagine my excitement to watch! It felt like watching a ballet performance in first class. A true pink tutu moment, indeed. 💖
Now, my dears, I know you’re probably dying to hear what adventures I’ve been getting up to. Well, you’ll be pleased to know that the tutu excitement has been through the roof – I am talking pure ballet bliss! I've taken in four shows already, four! The first was a captivating contemporary ballet piece at the American Ballet Theatre, the kind that sends shivers down your spine with its raw emotion and powerful movement. Let me tell you, dear reader, I almost jumped from my seat in awe during one of the pas de deux, the artistry was flawless.
Then, on Saturday, I took a pilgrimage to the Dance Theatre Workshop – now, if you’re looking for cutting edge choreography and mind-blowing experimental work, this is the place to be. I was particularly mesmerized by a piece that explored themes of identity and gender through a fascinating use of light, shadow and, yes, you guessed it – a spectacularly elegant pink tutu. Natch. I'm never not in my element when pink is in play! 💖
Pink Tutu Tips for the City that Never Sleeps:
As we all know, New York City is a hotbed for fashion, darling! But if you're on a pink tutu mission, you know where to start. From the glittering Fifth Avenue boutiques to the bustling streets of SoHo, this city is a haven for anyone wanting to dress their best. My favourite spots to discover hidden tutu gems:
- The Garment District: A must for finding the most extravagant, glittering fabrics – the type that will make any pink tutu look utterly divine.
- Bloomingdale’s: A true ballet enthusiast's dream – so much to explore from leotards and dance shoes to the most stunning tutus, and everything in between.
- The Strand Book Store: For any true ballet history buff, a wander around this labyrinthine bookstore is essential – they have a fantastic selection of old ballet programs and rare editions. And hey, a tutu with a literary vibe, what's not to love?
A Bit of Ballet History & The Birth of Pink Tutues:
Did you know, my lovelies, that tutus are actually fairly recent inventions? Believe it or not, they first emerged in the Romantic era, back in the early 19th century, with The Sylph (an otherworldly, ethereal creature) leading the way. Before that, dancers wore much less… flamboyant… garments, more practical, shall we say, than show stopping (cue dramatic air kiss!) You wouldn't catch me in a corset, I tell you! Now, these first tutus were primarily white, symbolic of the purity and innocence of the romantic era. But who wants to be just plain white, right? The world needs a bit of colour, and, well … you know my opinion of pink – I call it a ballet uniform, as far as I’m concerned!
The first tutu to feature pink, at least as far as documented history is concerned, was in the 1905 opera Romeo & Juliet, at the famed Royal Opera House Covent Garden. But you know, that's just the beginning! Pink was here before then in less celebrated and documented performances and it has continued to be used ever since. Pink is the color of romance, sweetness and joy – and how much more beautiful could those feelings be expressed, darling, than through dance? 💖🩰
Food and Fashion – All in the Name of Tutu Bliss:
Since I’ve been tutu travelling through New York City, the food scene has also been outstanding. We have all our senses working at peak capacity here, haven’t we! Now, I'm not exactly a “typical” dancer when it comes to diets – let's be honest, a little indulgence never hurt anyone, and we all know, darlings, the most important thing in life is having fun. My motto is tutu happy, be happy, which applies equally to dance, fashion, and the most delicious food – yum!
So what’s been my favourite New York City moment so far, you ask? A visit to Elaine’s in Greenwich Village, where a divine and utterly captivating Broadway production I watched yesterday had its debut gala years ago. They actually have photos and mementos on display and a wonderful atmosphere - you can just imagine the legendary figures who graced its tables! It was an afternoon I shall never forget!
*Coming Up: 🩰 *
Well, darling, I think that's enough of New York for today – next week I’ll have so much more to tell you all about the magical, enchanting and very stylish city of Paris! It’s just about impossible to contain all the pink tutu secrets from that exquisite city but let's just say, it's filled with inspiration – I even found an entire boutique dedicated solely to tutu-themed accessories! 🙀 The only problem was deciding which pink tutu outfit to wear for the occasion!
I promise to include a ton of photos for next week's post – you don't want to miss out! Remember to check in every Wednesday to www.pink-tutu.com, for the most fun, fabulous tutu travels of our time! I’m so glad we're pink tutu buddies, darlings – see you next week! 💖
P.S. Today, 1998-11-04, on planet earth, we can look forward to the amazing World Ballet Day event which takes place in several countries simultaneously with streaming ballet classes and shows on YouTube - how brilliant! It is so lovely to have opportunities like this to learn about different forms of ballet from different countries and even to be a part of something special globally. It's such a great day to celebrate the art form we all love so much. I’ll be adding it to my diary – I think you should too, darlings!
Emma xxx
