Hello my gorgeous twirling darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu World, your weekly dose of glitter, grace, and, of course, pink tutus! It's Wednesday, 1st March 2023, and as you know, that means a brand new blog post from your favourite intergalactic ballerina! Today I'm bouncing off the clouds with excitement - I'm back on Planet Earth! After all those cosmic adventures, it feels so good to be back in my little corner of the galaxy – Derbyshire, England, to be precise!
This trip has been particularly special, filled with fabulous fashion finds and, of course, glorious ballet performances. I wouldn’t trade it for all the sparkly constellations in the universe!
Let's rewind the tape a bit, shall we? My latest adventures began in the glittery metropolis of Tokyo! I always feel so much at home there - it's a veritable kaleidoscope of vibrant fashion, kawaii culture, and, most importantly, some of the finest ballet troupes on this entire planet! I popped into a few stores for some shopping, of course – who could resist those pastel pink kimonos? (Don't worry, they'll be featured in my next 'Tutu Chic' column!).
Later that evening, I had the honour of attending the National Ballet of Japan's performance of 'Swan Lake.' Oh my goodness, it was spectacular! The intricate costumes, the powerful dancing, the music - it was pure magic! The dancers truly brought Tchaikovsky’s score to life. It’s no wonder ‘Swan Lake’ is a ballet staple across the globe. It truly transported me back to my very first ballet class at the tender age of four! My love affair with ballet, and pink tutus for that matter, really started back then! Can you believe my little ballet bag was pink with fluffy white pompoms? It was divine! I still have it, of course! Now it takes pride of place in my spaceship, along with a lifetime’s worth of tutus!
After my Tokyo sojourn, it was time to fly across the Pacific, to the bustling metropolis of New York City. Now, you already know that New York is the undisputed fashion capital of Planet Earth, so I spent my first day browsing its dazzling designer boutiques. Honestly, my spaceship’s storage compartment was absolutely bursting with fabulous finds, and don’t even get me started on my shoe collection - I think it would put even the biggest fashionista to shame!
That evening, it was back to ballet with the legendary New York City Ballet. They were performing ‘Agon’, a powerful, abstract masterpiece by choreographer George Balanchine! I have a huge love for the elegant, fast-paced work of the neoclassical style - and ‘Agon’ certainly ticked all the boxes for me. The dancers were sublime - their athleticism and grace truly captured the essence of this magnificent dance. And speaking of essence, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of a New York ballet. It really is something truly unique and iconic! There’s something quite magical about attending a performance at the iconic Lincoln Centre!
After an exhausting but exhilarating week in the Big Apple, it was time to pack my glittery spaceship for my next adventure: The Ballet Russe Festival in Moscow. Russia! This was the country that gave birth to ballet itself - where dancers became renowned and ballet really blossomed into the elegant art form we love today! Honestly, as an avid lover of all things ballet, a trip to the home of ballet was an absolute dream come true! I practically skipped down the steps of my spaceship, clutching my beloved sparkly bag and ready to delve deep into the fascinating history of this artistic treasure.
Now, I know what you're thinking: "Emma, wouldn't the Bolshoi Ballet be a perfect addition to your ballet extravaganza?" Well, let me tell you, I nearly tripped over my own pink tutu in excitement! The Bolshoi didn’t disappoint! I saw their performance of ‘La Bayadere,’ a timeless classical masterpiece celebrating love, duty, and betrayal - a beautiful story set in exotic India with sumptuous, breathtaking costumes. The set design alone was spectacular - such detail and craftsmanship. It's almost impossible to choose my favourite part of ‘La Bayadere.’ There’s the spectacular dance of the ‘Shades’ scene and the beautiful finale of the Kingdom of the Shades, which is like pure poetry in motion. However, I am particularly enamoured with Nikiya’s first act variation – oh, it's simply divine! She dances in such an ethereal manner, bringing the character of Nikiya, the Bayadere (meaning temple dancer) to life so beautifully! It’s so delicate and graceful, and just absolutely sends shivers down my spine! I can’t wait to explore Nikiya’s role in more detail - perhaps I should visit Moscow again to see the show a few more times to pick apart all the layers of this breathtaking masterpiece!
Of course, Moscow's ballet scene wasn't the only reason I traveled to this charming city! No, darling, the fashion scene is absolutely thrilling. Think elegant boutiquse tucked away on hidden backstreets and vintage shops that have been there for decades! I found some utterly divine furs, (just imagine the way they twirl, absolutely dreamy!) and a dazzling array of vintage costumes that will transform my spaceship into an actual ballet boutique!
With a full heart and a spaceship bursting with treasures, it was time for a return journey to dear old Planet Earth, back to the gentle green hills of Derbyshire, England. As you know, Derbyshire is my favourite corner of our little blue planet - it's where it all began for this pink-tutu-loving ballerina!
Right now, I'm sitting in my living room surrounded by boxes and overflowing shopping bags! It's truly a wonderful feeling! The joy of shopping never goes out of fashion! It is, however, incredibly satisfying to finally unpack after a week-long shopping frenzy. The aroma of freshly-brewed Darjeeling tea is floating in the air, and outside, the birds are chirping merrily in the early spring sunshine. I simply love coming home after my exciting escapades - it truly is the ultimate in 'coming home'. The best way to wind down after a week’s travelling, is a steaming hot bath filled with lavender and rose oil. (I'm rather partial to a touch of pink in my bath water!). And after my bath, a perfectly toasted piece of English Bakewell tart - it is pure decadence!
To top it all off, there’s nothing quite like a night in with my favourite ballet film: ‘The Red Shoes.’ I absolutely love the drama, romance, and the brilliant performances of Moira Shearer and Marius Goring - and the score by William Walton is divine! What could be a more relaxing end to my cosmic travels? There’s really no place like home!
My dear darlings, I can’t wait to share my next adventure with you! You can see the world’s first intergalactic pink tutu collection on display at the upcoming Royal Ballet School exhibition - it will include some of my favourite ballet looks and costumes - both classical and modern! So keep your eyes peeled, darlings! The pink tutu trend is spreading across the cosmos faster than a flash of a tutu in a whirlwind! And remember, always wear pink, twirl your worries away and stay fabulous!
See you next Wednesday!
XOXO
Emma www.pink-tutu.com
Pink Tutu’s Hot List:
- The Bolshoi Theatre (Moscow, Russia): Absolutely majestic, with superb productions and captivating dancers!
- New York City Ballet (Lincoln Center, New York City): For contemporary elegance, the NYCB has got to be your next ballet pilgrimage!
- National Ballet of Japan (Tokyo): Traditional style, sophisticated movements and absolutely magnificent costuming!
- ‘Agon’ by George Balanchine (Neoclassical ballet) : Perfect for your inner ballerina’s sophisticated, and fast paced aesthetic.
- ‘La Bayadere’ by Marius Petipa: A romantic, classical masterpiece, the essence of true ballet.
Outfit Picks:
- Pink kimono: Available at all the leading stores in Tokyo, with prices to suit every budget!
- Gorgeous fur: A sophisticated twist to the classic ballerina look – check out the fabulous boutiques on Moscow’s Tverskaya Street!
- Vintage ballet costumes: These will be a must have for all the pink tutu fashionistas.
Pink Tutu World:
What are you reading? My absolute favourite balletis ‘The Nutcracker’. It really captures the spirit of the season. Let me know which books or ballets are your favourites.
Follow Pink Tutu World:
Website: www.pink-tutu.com Twitter: @pinktutuwrold Facebook: Pink Tutu World Instagram: pinktutuworld
I'll be back next week to talk about my amazing pink tutu inspired shopping trip to London. It really is the home of vintage, vintage clothes! And don't forget: If you’d like to know more about the history of ballet or tutu history, check back on my blog - I have lots to share on this very special topic!
And now, it’s time to find my most spectacular pink tutu - you’ll find out next week which one is chosen for my London shopping adventures!
