Hello my lovelies! It's Emma here, your favourite tutu-clad travel blogger, bringing you all the glitz and glamour from Planet Earth! This week has been a whirlwind of twinkling toes and fabulous frocks. I've just returned from a blinding ballet bash here on my home planet, and let me tell you, it's been a total pink-tastic experience!
But first, a quick word about this magnificent date! 18th October! Did you know this was the day that "Grease" was first released?! Talk about a cultural landmark! Such iconic music and fashion, even I've gotta admit it's totally worth a bop. And with such iconic, strong, feminine leads like Sandy and Rizzo, you can't argue with the pink-power! I might just have to whip out my pink petticoats tonight for a bit of a 1950s shimmy! But on to more important matters – namely, my favourite things.
This week I was back in Derbyshire, where I'm currently staying at my aunt's (she lets me use her spare room to write this weekly blog, the love!), ready to do a bit of ballet exploring! Did you know that Derbyshire has one of the longest ballet histories in all of the United Kingdom? The Buxton Festival Ballet, founded way back in 1948, used to be based here. Can you imagine performing in ballet on planet earth, let alone back in 1948?! You'd have been one of the coolest kids on the block!
Luckily, my home planet hasn't just been home to amazing ballet – it's home to amazing ballet today! I spent last Saturday night at the amazing Derby Theatre, which hosted a Northern Ballet production of "Giselle." Now, "Giselle" is so my kind of ballet: beautiful, romantic, but with some serious dramatic heft! I have to say, the tutus were amazing – the whole romantic, whimsical nature of the story was just captured perfectly in the gorgeous fabric and embroidery of those tutu costumes. If I ever decide to launch a range of “Emma’s Tutu Designs,” (don't worry, I haven't forgotten you, darling! Still a work in progress...), I’ll definitely need a trip to the Northern Ballet Wardrobe department for a little inspiration. They've seriously set the bar high. I'm seriously considering requesting some of those beautiful, white "Giselle" tutus to take out on my space travels... maybe to visit Jupiter's Ballet Conservatory? Now, there's an idea!
It's been ages since I've visited the ballet studio. Now that I'm back home in Derbyshire for a bit, it's definitely time to whip up the sequins and my trusty dance shoes. I'm planning to check out "Step Into Dance," one of the premier ballet schools here in Derbyshire – I heard rumours of some pretty dazzling students in some breathtaking tutus. I’ll try and snap a few photos, just for you my lovelies. You deserve a little ballet inspiration, too!
However, my biggest source of inspiration these days isn’t the local studio – it’s my biggest source of ballet fun! And I’m speaking about ballet street.
Yep, it’s one of those wonderful trends you’re seeing all over the world: a fusion of dance and fashion. Not too long ago, there was this incredible event in New York (and, obviously, I just had to see it!), where a whole bunch of street dancers went all out in some outrageous tutus! They were performing a new style they called "Tutu-Street," and let me tell you, those moves were incredible! The tutu trend has moved way beyond classical ballet; we’ve got it popping up all over our home planet. Who’d have thought that a classic, feminine garment would inspire some of the coolest dance moves ever? It really just shows you that anything can happen on this wonderful planet Earth.
Okay, I confess... the pink tutu has been whispering to me... My pink ballerina dress and its collection of delicate pink tutus have been whispering such fabulous plans about ballet… The pink ballet dress and I will just have to try to add some Tutu-Street moves to the routine for our next performance! Can you just imagine? I bet you guys would love it, too.
However, my space travels don’t always end up as planned, you know. For example, the recent travel adventure in London didn’t quite go to plan! It all started off fabulously.
I went to a fancy dress ball at a grand, beautiful manor in the country. And yes, darling, it was all about tutus. They encouraged it. Even encouraged pink! There I was, the pink ballerina shining as bright as the fireworks – because yes, they even had those too, oh my goodness! The most exciting part though? That manor had an ancient, spectacular library filled with, are you ready for it?, the largest collection of vintage tutu books on the planet. Can you believe it?!
We all spent the night browsing amazing photos of those historical ballet performers. You’d be surprised to see how tutus were actually invented as very basic, and even a little boring at times. Now they’re so beautiful! Even more so as I’ve realised we’ve got quite the fascinating history of tutus.
I went off exploring one more day around London. There’s just something about those big, sprawling cities that draws you in! I wanted to see what kind of new trends were hitting the capital of this little planet, and boy was I surprised. In one fabulous boutique store, I found the most extravagant, colourful selection of tutus made from recycled materials. I’m talking plastic bottles, old blankets, scraps of fabric, and you name it – it’s in a tutu. They were still delicate and dreamy, but they re-purposed all those materials so beautifully, I found myself utterly enchanted by them. I picked out a sparkly tutu with a bright, shimmering fabric woven in from recycled plastic bottles. Can you believe that? I have to wear it out one night here in Derbyshire – I've got some great photo ideas for the blog!
The following day, I made my way back to the airport for the next chapter of my pink adventure. I made a final check of my spaceship, made sure my travel-sized bag was packed with all of the essentials — tutu, shoes, lip gloss — and prepared myself for the big journey home. The planet is spinning and all of my pink glitter is sparkling beautifully in the evening sunlight as I type, just a tiny little bit jet-lagged after my fabulous journey, but ready for a few more fantastic trips, starting with an upcoming dance gala in Paris… It’s a great way to give back to the community and support those budding young ballerinas! What a fun adventure. Oh, and how could I forget, it’s also the perfect opportunity to share the pink-tutu love with all my fellow planet-hoppers! Stay tuned for updates. I can already hear that little pink tutu of mine calling out my name! And of course, the only thing a fabulous ballerina like me does when it whispers a request is… I take off!
Have a wonderful Wednesday, and remember, my lovely ballerinas – don’t just live in your own pink bubble: explore the world and share the *joy and grace of the tutu with every step you take!
Love always,
Emma, Your pink ballerina xoxo
P.S. Remember: www.pink-tutu.com Come back next Wednesday, darlings!
P.P.S. Don’t forget, 18th October 2006 is not just any date! “Grease” was released! Get dancing!
