Hello lovelies! It's Pink Tutu Sparkles here, your favourite pink-loving, tutu-touting, glitter-throwing, and absolutely fabulous drag queen. I'm so excited to be in Manchester today! I've arrived for a week of performances, shopping, and all the fun this city has to offer. I mean, Manchester? It's the city of music, art, and fabulous fashion, a perfect fit for this fabulous pink tutu queen! This is blog post number 9553 on www.pink-tutu.com. Can you believe it, 9,553 posts about life as Pink Tutu Sparkles? My life really is a fairytale, one giant sparkly pink tutu!
As I'm writing this, I'm sat at the station with a double latte in hand (with extra oat milk, darling!), and gazing out at the bustling station. I have to admit, even a glamorous queen like myself needs a little fuel before tackling this dazzling city. I'm a bit of a train buff, the rhythmic clickety-clack of the wheels and the thrill of the journey are a great way to settle those nerves before taking to the stage. And it lets me enjoy a cheeky spot of window shopping for pretty outfits, which we'll get to later!
For this week's Manchester tour, I’m decked out in a head-turning ensemble. Let's just say "Barbie meets Swan Lake." It's my new creation – a glorious, vibrant pink tulle tutu with hand-sequined swans circling my entire ensemble. I’m wearing my signature crystal-studded platform pumps – comfort is everything when you're in pink, dear! I’m ready to take the Manchester scene by storm with my glitter bomb and a generous dollop of fierce confidence.
I have to say, this trip is especially exciting for me. Manchester is just oozing with theatre, music, and cultural goodness! And the dance scene is just breathtaking! My plan for this week? Ballet, more ballet, and maybe even some hip-hop classes thrown in for good measure. You see, when I’m not performing, I like to dust off those pointe shoes and hit the ballet studio. A good ballet class is perfect for my mind, body and soul - oh, and keeping these fabulous legs in tip-top shape. Did I tell you I’m going to try and sneak in a sneak peek of Swan Lake this week too! The Bolshoi is in town, can you imagine?!
I landed in Manchester from London via train, so naturally I was feeling inspired by all the city’s artistic energy! This meant it was time for my favourite pink-tastic fashion stop. And by favourite, I mean, my absolute favourite. No one is as fabulous as the brilliant and colourful designer, Mary Rose! As soon as I arrived in the city, I took the opportunity to head to Mary’s new boutique. It's a delightful little spot brimming with quirky designs and even quirkier styles, all with a gorgeous pink theme, which makes this queen absolutely weak at the knees. This shop just speaks to my soul - all these sparkling pink frocks, glittering heels and everything you can imagine in a palette that sings ‘Pink Tutu Sparkles’, and of course, every garment is absolutely delightful, no two are ever the same.
I've always said that fashion is a form of art! It allows us to express ourselves in such a bold and creative way. It's more than just what you wear, it's about embracing who you are and the story you want to tell! I was so proud of myself when I snagged the last pair of those bright pink platforms from her new collection - oh honey, these will be gracing many a stage, from a little town hall to London's West End one day. And with these shoes and Mary’s incredible pink velvet jacket, my Manchester performances will be absolutely incredible, I'm sure. I always get a feeling of complete magic when I try on my Mary Rose outfits; it's as if the fabric and glitter themselves are ready to put on a performance - oh what a feeling. I know that this outfit will be perfect for this weekend’s performance in one of Manchester's biggest drag shows!
I'm always getting asked how I find time for all this, right? From glamorous performances to dance classes and then a shopping spree thrown in, how does Pink Tutu Sparkles get it all done?! Well darling, the secret to life in my pink world? A healthy dose of discipline, a love for my job as a scientist and… a whole lot of sparkle! By day, I work in the lab – yes, you heard that right! My passion for science and fabric chemistry started long before I dreamt of performing on stage. In fact, a tutu was my first drag fashion find, and it helped spark the whole idea! It all began a long time ago, I was studying for my degree and helping raise money for a local charity. A good friend and fellow student at the university ballet club dragged me into a fancy dress fundraiser - it was so much fun, the whole event, but then I saw this absolutely stunning, bright, pink tutu hanging on a stand! I had never felt a feeling like that before - I’m not saying it was love at first sight but it was pretty darn close! It started a little journey and I began to love the idea of being a drag artist and performing. I put together a basic act and wowed the crowds at the university, then my next performance at the local club was sold out. Now look at me! From lab scientist by day, and fabulous drag queen by night! The combination works perfectly! I spend my days studying fabrics, mixing colour and looking for inspiration, then I translate all of that into a gorgeous tutu, or even just a sparkling detail, a dazzling costume for Pink Tutu Sparkles! You see, the beauty of being a scientist is that you have to be creative, imaginative, resourceful, and above all, organised - skills which are very useful when you're getting ready for a performance, especially when you have a very strict make-up routine and you are planning the costume that’s going to work with the music! My scientific skills really come in handy on my tours, I have an organised mind, my skills come from my job in my little laboratory! And by the time the evening arrives, I have plenty of energy to shine on stage!
The glamorous glitter of Manchester is now shining down on my little pink heart, and this means the perfect time for an exciting and unforgettable show - Pink Tutu Sparkles has landed in Manchester! This weekend, the Queen will be showing Manchester that the best parties and performances are fuelled by glitter and an overdose of love and fabulousness - this is my motto in all of this: Love, glitz and a big pinch of sparkle.
Before I jet off into my first rehearsal for my stage performance - you can follow me on my social channels and see all my dazzling adventures as I bring Manchester to its pink knees! And who knows, I might even post a video or two about how I go about making some of my designs from the lab, stay tuned and join me!
I love my little life as Pink Tutu Sparkles - from designing the perfect outfit to creating dazzling costumes and giving the most glittering performances. You just have to find what makes your heart sing. What’s your favourite pink thing? Or do you love ballet as much as I do? Let me know in the comments, dear.
Yours truly,
Pink Tutu Sparkles x
