Itās June, which means one thing: Pride Month! And this year, Finchley is buzzing with excitement for the annual Pride celebrations. Youād think, given the recent popularity of the Queen of Pop (sheās not just a Queen anymore, sheās the queen of queens) a giant glitter ball was descending on North London! And, it wouldnāt be Finchley Pride without a bit of flamboyant fun, a sprinkle of disco andā¦ of course, tutus!
For those of you who donāt know me, Iām Emma, a dancer, blogger, and die-hard tutu enthusiast - you can find me online at [website name], where I dedicate my life to celebrating the power of fashion and self-expression through the joy of dance, and I think this month is the perfect opportunity to spread the love.
Finchley's Pride parade was, quite frankly, the best one yet! The vibrant colours, the infectious energy, and the sense of unity that coursed through the streetsā¦ it truly was a sight to behold! There was something so powerful and inspiring about seeing everyone come together, from all walks of life, to celebrate the diversity and love within our community. Itās been truly overwhelming seeing how this message of love, tolerance, and acceptance has truly seeped into the mainstream. Just a few years ago, I donāt think I could have envisioned a pride celebration like this, even in my wildest dreams!
But I have to confess: there was something extra special about this yearās parade for me, and it all boiled down to the vibrant rainbow of tutus. Yep, tutus! Let's be honest, thereās just something magical about tutus! A symbol of joy, liberation, and whimsy, it brings a smile to even the grumpiest of faces!
I even witnessed an epic drag queen strutting through the parade, clad in a pink feather boa and a glorious, swirling tulle creation, with a shimmering disco ball on her head, which just completed the outfit and brought out all those fabulous retro vibes.
The energy at the Pride celebration wasnāt just confined to the parade. Throughout the entire weekend, Finchley was a whirlwind of colourful festivities: fabulous live music that resonated throughout the streets, vibrant stalls, a dazzling LGBTQ+ film festival, and some epic performances that would make any seasoned dance enthusiast proud (okay, my dancing-self was extremely proud!)
But there was one event that truly captured my heart. A free āTutu for Everyoneā workshop where hundreds of locals, children and adults, flocked together, transforming themselves into shimmering works of art! It was simply amazing! Children gleefully twirled and frolicked, each sporting unique tulle creations, and even the shyest among us got swept away in the collective joy! There were all kinds of colours, patterns and shapes ā it was like stepping into a magical dreamscape, filled with sunshine and glitter. And it got me thinking about why a humble tutu carries such power!
Hereās my theory:
The tutu: a symbol of liberation
Firstly, the tutu has become a powerful symbol of personal expression and creative freedom. Why wear just a dress, when you can wear a swirling, whimsical masterpiece of layers and textures?!
It's also associated with dance - and what could be a better expression of freedom than moving your body however you choose, and celebrating those emotions with every jump, twirl, and leap? Dance transcends all boundaries, whether it's ballet, disco, or street dancing.
This notion of breaking down barriers is absolutely essential when it comes to pride and equality!
The tutu: a playful rebellion
But I think the tutu represents something even more significant, it speaks to this desire to rebel against expectations and embrace your true self!
In a world obsessed with rigidity and conformity, tutus allow us to unleash our inner child and express ourselves without limits!
Remember all the traditional ballet outfits, the white, structured and sometimes even severe leotards and tutus that have been around for ages? This yearās pride events and all the amazing tutus out there are breaking away from that expectation ā and frankly, it's a glorious change.
We're free to play, weāre free to create and above all ā we're free to celebrate all our wonderful selves, without having to apologise for being anything but truly, authentically, spectacularly us.
The power of community
Of course, the true magic of Pride lies within its ability to unite communities and create a space where we feel accepted and valued. It's all about sharing our stories, standing up for those who are vulnerable, and reminding everyone that we are all stronger together.
Itās about understanding that it doesnāt matter where you come from, what you look like, or who you love, because everyone deserves to be treated with respect, dignity and love.
Pride month serves as a constant reminder of that: Weāre not just celebrating our rights, weāre celebrating each other.
And this year, I was delighted to witness this incredible sense of unity playing out across every single Finchley Pride event.
Let's not forgetā¦ #TUTUPRIDE!
So here's to celebrating the diversity and wonder that makes us human ā in all its colourful glory. But don't forget - there's a reason we say "let's spread some #TUTUPRIDE!" So, donāt be afraid to rock those tutus ā and let's show the world that everyone, every single one of us deserves to dance to their own tune, and express their individuality.
You donāt have to be a ballet dancer to embrace the joy of a tutu. In fact, it doesn't even have to be an actual tutu ā think colorful, flowing dresses, sparkly skirts ā you get the point! Itās all about embodying those feelings of liberation, self-expression and playful rebellion!
This is a month to embrace your individuality and celebrate all the beautiful and amazing differences that make our communities so vibrant and diverse!
*Until next yearā¦ *
And if you find yourself in Finchley next year, donāt forget to head over to the Finchley Pride celebrations. You'll be greeted by friendly smiles, good music and plenty of delicious food (donāt miss the street food!). And remember to embrace the tutu revolution!
We'll be seeing you!
P.S
Donāt forget to find me online at [website name] ā and be sure to keep those photos coming #TUTUPRIDE! You never know, you might even inspire someone else to dance and embrace their individuality!
Stay stylish,
Emma.
