Hello darlings! Emma here, your very own pink tutu-wearing space traveller, ready to take you on another whirl through the cosmic kaleidoscope of my life! It's Wednesday, which means it's time for my weekly trip back to Planet Earth and a brand-new blog post. Today, I'm taking a moment to reflect on a simply divine trip back to my home planet last week - it was 19th September 2012, to be precise - and all the fabulous ballet, fashion and fabulousity it brought.
My spaceship, "The Sugarplum Fairy," gracefully touched down in the rolling green hills of Derbyshire, England, a landscape that holds a special place in my heart. After all, it’s where the magic of ballet first took hold of me, with a pair of sparkly tap shoes and a passion that blossomed alongside the dainty petals of a budding pink ballerina.
As soon as I touched down, it was straight to my favourite tea shop for a delightful spot of afternoon tea. This time, they even had a little pink cake, just for me! A touch of pink sweetness always makes a day a bit more magical. Then, with a fresh face and a spring in my step (well, more of a pirouette, really!), I headed off for my favourite part of my home visit: the Royal Ballet Theatre in Covent Garden.
The magic was almost overwhelming. I mean, the theatre is utterly gorgeous, don’t get me wrong. But what made it even more wonderful this time around was the incredible programme. There was this fantastic rendition of 'The Sleeping Beauty,' starring the legendary ballerina Anya Kozlov, she's simply divine. Every twirl, every arabesque was just perfect. My tutu, a delicate confection of shimmering pink silk, danced in perfect harmony with the choreography.
I was particularly mesmerized by Anya's 'Rose Adagio'. The delicate grace, the expressive movements, and, oh, that costume! The shade of pink was breathtaking, a perfectly blended pink rose tone. Let's just say it inspired a couple of new design ideas for my next collection of pink tutu-inspired fashion. The details, the flowing ribbons, the shimmering fabric - it was a truly magical spectacle.
The second part of the evening was equally stunning. The 'Black Swan Pas de Deux' was breathtaking. Anya, adorned in the classic black tutu with its dramatic swan feathers, was an ethereal spectacle of emotion and artistry. I just knew I had to bring a touch of that etherealness into my next pink tutu collection. A dash of black, some strategically placed feathers – you know, the dark side of the tutu!
The performance ended, and as I floated on a cloud of inspiration back to my little cottage in the English countryside, my head was buzzing with all the possibilities. It’s the beauty of these grand ballet experiences: They transport you to a whole other dimension of inspiration and style.
The next day, I felt it was high time to visit the world-famous Victoria and Albert Museum, just down the road. Not only are their ballet costume and shoe displays to die for – those fabulous feathered headdresses from the Ballets Russes! Oh my! - but also the sheer expanse of art and design was inspiring beyond belief. There was a delightful exhibit of 18th century French dresses, all adorned with swathes of pink silk and tulle. It sparked a major inspiration! Pink and tulle - two words that truly speak to my soul!
My visit to London was, of course, incomplete without a bit of retail therapy, especially when you're a pink tutu aficionado. The beautiful boutiques of London were filled with inspiration: silk scarfs in various shades of pink, dazzling pearl necklaces, shimmering sequined handbags. I found myself swept away by the endless possibilities. I indulged in a fabulous pair of satin pink pumps from Jimmy Choo – every ballerina needs a stunning pair of heels to rock after a performance – and I couldn't resist a delicate pink tulle scarf that shimmered with a touch of glitter. My collection is forever evolving and expanding!
Oh, did I tell you I’m in the middle of designing a new pink tutu collection, my first in this exciting year! It will feature shimmering tulle, hand-stitched ruffles, delicate ribbon embellishments, and, of course, a dash of magic. It will also feature an inspired new range of tulle dresses, tops and leggings that I'll launch just in time for Christmas. A girl needs to be prepared for holiday festivities! And it wouldn't be a new collection without the most vibrant shade of pink, it’s called "Sugarplum Sunrise." Just the name makes my heart flutter, wouldn't you say?
However, as beautiful as London can be, there’s something about Derbyshire. Perhaps it's the charming villages with their quaint cottages draped in roses, or maybe it's the rolling green hills and clear, starlit skies. Whatever it is, there's just something about the landscape that feeds my creativity and fills me with inspiration. So, after my London escapade, I ventured into the Derbyshire countryside. My little cottage nestled among the wildflowers is the perfect place to work on my collection designs and plan my next space ballet performance. It’s quiet, the fresh air helps me think and of course, the pink hydrangeas outside are blooming spectacularly!
This trip was so much more than just a visit back home. It was an adventure filled with inspiration and a dose of pure, unadulterated delight. Every pink detail, every graceful pirouette, and every shimmering costume gave me a new perspective on the enchanting world of ballet and style. Now, as I'm writing this from my spaceship, the Milky Way glistening above me, I can’t help but wonder: What awaits me in my next intergalactic ballet voyage? Maybe the dance floor of Mars? A cosmic ballet performance on the ring of Saturn? Who knows? All I know is I'll be ready to dazzle and inspire the universe, all while wearing my fabulous pink tutus.
Keep your tutus shimmering, my loves,
Emma
A quick note on my upcoming trip...
Next week, I'm taking a fantastic trip to Planet Earth again - on 26th September - this time to Buenos Aires! Oh, it will be fabulous. It's one of the hottest destinations on Earth - and just imagine - it’s going to be full of exciting opportunities to find unique fabrics for my next tutu line! Plus, there’s the opportunity to watch tango. It's going to be a sensational week filled with sizzling energy! Can’t wait! I'll be posting about my trip next Wednesday, so keep your eyes peeled, darlings.
Did you know…?
The tutu was born out of ballet. It was first introduced by Marie Taglioni, the greatest ballerina of the Romantic era, when she took centre stage in a dramatic role as 'La Sylphide'. Her white, layered tulle skirt, unlike the fitted dresses that preceded it, gave her the ethereal look that suited a being born from the air. Now, I love white, but we all know a good pink tutu will always shine brighter.
*I hope you enjoyed my adventures, darlings. Let’s spread the joy of pink tutus all over the universe! *
P.S. Have you been enjoying my pink tutu blog posts? What's your favourite outfit? What are your top tips for a fun family night out? Do let me know in the comments section. And if you love ballet, do tag your pics with #PinkTutuWorld. We’d love to feature some of your gorgeous pics on my site!
