Hello, my darling darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-clad space explorer, back with another blog post from this glorious little planet called Earth. It's Wednesday, which means a fresh blog for you! Get your tea and biscuits at the ready, because I've got a right royal treat for you this week…
As you know, my ultimate mission is to get every sentient being in the universe wearing a pink tutu. And while I've already made quite a dent in that goal (check out those glowing reports from Planet Zorgon and Alpha Centauri!), Earth still has a lot of tutu-resistant folk hanging about. But worry not, my tutu-loving troopers! I'm on the case, spreading the good word, one twirl at a time!
Today, I'm coming to you straight from the beautiful and historic city of York in beautiful England! Oh, you know I'm never too far from home, even though I spend my days gallivanting across the cosmos. I love getting back to my roots in lovely Derbyshire, but this little jaunt to York has reminded me of the sheer beauty and elegance that can be found right here on Earth, without the need for interstellar travel!
Today, dear readers, is a special date! It's the 24th of November 1999 – yes, you heard me right, nineteen ninety nine! And if you're a big history buff like myself, you'll know exactly why today is significant! Today is the 250th anniversary of the birth of a truly legendary dancer: Marie-Madeleine Guimard! Now, for all you fashionista tutu fanatics like myself, Marie-Madeleine was the ultimate tutu influencer of her time. This dazzling Parisian dancer didn't just wear tutus, she helped shape the entire concept of the modern tutu as we know it!
Imagine a time when ballerinas danced in heavy, layered skirts! Can you picture it, my dears? Marie-Madeleine was a champion for change, bringing grace, fluidity, and movement to a whole new level with her daringly innovative tutus! I’ve even heard whispers that her own collection of tutus included exquisite feathered details, inspired by the feathered adornments worn by exotic birds – talk about haute couture, my darlings!
Of course, no celebration of Marie-Madeleine Guimard is complete without a quick glance at her life's most important contribution to the world… her dancing! Not only did this phenomenal ballerina dominate the Parisian stage (she even had her own theatre! Can you imagine?!), but her performances were renowned for their unparalleled beauty, agility, and sheer virtuosity! Imagine her light-as-air leaps, graceful extensions, and her masterful command of the stage – truly inspiring! I’m not ashamed to say that I often channel this gorgeous, captivating dancer when I’m putting my own twirls into action – even though my tutu-wearing space voyages are considerably different!
And to mark this truly spectacular date, I just had to indulge myself with a day of shopping, theatre and – naturally – ballet! So, first things first, off I went to a vintage boutique tucked away in a quiet, cobbled street – just like the shops that Marie-Madeleine might have frequented herself.
My, oh, my! It was an absolute treasure trove! I found a stunning cream lace tutu (so beautifully preserved – you’d have thought it was brand new!) that I simply couldn’t leave behind. And what’s more, it practically shimmered like moonlight in the sunlight filtering through the shop window. How could I resist? It practically jumped right onto my hip!
Naturally, the rest of my shopping bag was full of the most heavenly, feminine things: silken blouses, a perfectly fluffy, vintage angora sweater (pink, naturally!), and a collection of hand-painted ballet slippers. Don’t even get me started on the vintage handbag! I haven’t seen something this gorgeous since I stopped off at that gorgeous market in Alpha Centauri - they even sold fluffy space unicorn heads there, can you imagine! But I digress, darling.
With my bags packed, I sauntered off to York Minster – absolutely breathtaking! Those towering gothic spires just called out to me, their stained-glass windows twinkling in the late afternoon sun. I can see how this beautiful city would have enchanted even the most jaded artist.
As the day started to turn towards evening, I treated myself to the most divine ballet performance by the Yorkshire Ballet Company, nestled in the heart of this magnificent city. The production was based on Marie-Madeleine Guimard’s life, starring a rising talent (I might have been just a little bit biased about her - a little pink tutu makes everything so much more exciting!) and featured some of the most captivating choreography I’ve ever seen – a real treat!
We were swept up in her breathtaking pirouettes, heart-stopping fouetté and impossibly beautiful port de bras, each movement flowing so effortlessly into the next, that you simply knew you were watching something special. As the performance reached its climax, I found myself mesmerized. The lights twinkled on the glittering fabric of her stunning tutu, the stage vibrated with the sounds of the orchestra and I could feel the magic of this beautiful art form sweeping over me – as if I had travelled back in time to watch Marie-Madeleine herself dancing. It was an experience that will stay with me forever, and it further reinforced my dedication to bringing ballet to the whole universe!
But wait, it gets even better! This little trip to York turned into an amazing inspiration! Not only do I now own a vintage tutu from the most fabulous era of ballet, but the history I learned here has given me an amazing idea… What if I dedicate one of my upcoming planetary tours to showcasing the history of the tutu! My lovelies, we’ll be travelling to some of the most inspiring places in history to learn all about the humble, yet amazing, ballet tutu! I'm talking a whirlwind tour through time and space, covering every iconic style of tutu and its fascinating evolution!
Picture this – dancing with a ballet dancer in a long, flowing tutu from the romantic era, watching a grand tour tutu being spun on stage by a beautiful Parisian ballet company, and then gliding around the grand boulevards of the City of Lights with the ultimate tutu guru! You know me, my darlings, I wouldn't dream of settling for just a little trip.
Oh, and it gets even better! There's something else truly spectacular happening on planet Earth this week that I can’t wait to tell you about… This Saturday, my friends are getting married in a gorgeous Victorian greenhouse, nestled in a quiet English countryside. Naturally, you know it’s all been done with a bit of pink tutu inspiration! The bridesmaids have their pink tutus and they've asked me to perform a little something special. It will be truly magical to twirl under a canopy of twinkling lights, surrounded by the fragrant blooms of exotic flowers – and it doesn't get more romantic than that!
And just to bring my blog post full circle, what could be a better tribute to Marie-Madeleine Guimard than sharing in the beauty and joy of a wedding?
Speaking of beautiful and joyful, I simply cannot wait for you all to see me dance in that beautiful, vintage cream lace tutu!
Remember my darlings, pink tutus can get you anywhere in the universe, and they can certainly brighten up any event! And as always, let your spirit soar like a ballerina twirling across the sky and always remember to follow your tutu dreams!
Stay tuned, my dears! It’s only a matter of time until my next post, filled with exciting new stories and fabulous fashions, arrives in your inbox. And if you fancy joining me for a dance, why not send a quick email and tell me all about your dream pink tutu adventures!
Until next Wednesday, my loves,
Always twirling,
Emma xXx www.pink-tutu.com
