Hello, lovelies! Emma here, back from a whirlwind trip to New York City! You know how much I love this city; it's the ultimate melting pot of fashion, culture, and of course, ballet! I was there for a couple of weeks, flitting between stunning ballet performances, delightful shopping trips, and, of course, getting my tutu fix!
A Bit of Background: As a professional ballerina with a passion for travel and a love of all things pink, I fund my adventures by performing in theatres and ballet companies around the world. New York was, as always, a true highlight. So grab a cup of tea (or pink lemonade, darling!) and settle in for this week's blog post about my NYC adventures!
A Magical Metro Trip
First things first, my trusty tutu came with me on this trip. Let's face it, no journey is complete without a sprinkle of pink tutu magic! I travelled by the Metro a lot - such a convenient and easy way to get around. Every trip felt like an exciting adventure, all while giving my sparkly pink tulle a bit of a stylish Parisian flair (think "Amélie" meets "Breakfast at Tiffany's"). It also made my tutu a great talking point and a welcome, shimmering surprise to other passengers. Who needs a conversation starter when you have a perfectly pink tutu?
The Ballet Bonanza
I was so excited to catch two absolutely incredible shows! The first was at the beautiful Lincoln Center – the New York City Ballet’s annual Thanksgiving Gala! Talk about a feast for the eyes, a ballet treat fit for a queen, with an elegant, glittering performance that blew my mind. I’ve been a huge fan of the New York City Ballet for years, and they never fail to impress!
The following week I took myself to the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and wow, those dancers are just mesmerising! They are such talented and passionate performers and the artistry of the choreographers left me speechless. They've been an inspiration since I was a young ballerina myself, so being able to experience their work up close was truly something special.
Shopping Heaven!
No trip to NYC is complete without a shopping spree, and this time was no different. My mission was to find the perfect pink ballet outfit for my next big performance in the West End, so I took a stroll through some of my favourite shops in Manhattan. I adore all the gorgeous pink, feminine shops dotted around the city, filled with beautiful clothing, shoes and accessories. Let's just say, I didn't come home empty-handed – there are some amazing new finds just waiting to be styled and shared in a future blog post!
A Pink-Filled Afternoon Tea:
While in New York City, a very special friend suggested an afternoon tea at a truly beautiful tea room, in a gorgeous pastel pink vintage setting - think crystal, floral wallpaper and lots of delightful, frilly accents! I had a very sophisticated, utterly delightful afternoon of finger sandwiches, mini pastries, and delicious loose leaf tea. It was a bit of old-fashioned fairytale magic amidst the hustle and bustle of New York life.
Exploring the City
I took the chance to do some sight-seeing as well, revisiting my favourite spots and discovering some new gems. Who doesn't love a stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge or the serene views from Central Park, especially on a crisp autumn day? I felt inspired, and I couldn't help but sketch some outfit ideas as I took in the magnificent skyscrapers that line the city skyline.
Street Performing Spirit:
NYC, like London, has so many talented street performers who add to the incredible atmosphere of this city. I got a real thrill when I spotted some awesome street dancers in a tiny park, showing off some incredible hip hop moves with an almost electric energy - definitely a fusion of street dancing meets modern ballet, and all with such an exciting flair! Seeing that vibrant street performance totally filled me with the inspiration to add some hip hop to my routine. Maybe my next tutu outfit will have a touch of modern flair...
Ballet Class
Being away from my beloved studio can be tricky! You see, for me, a tutu can only do so much if there isn't any dancing! So of course, a bit of a trip to the City Ballet’s wonderful studio for a couple of drop in ballet classes was a must! The amazing instructors gave me some fantastic techniques and new routines that were definitely a good test of my strength and stamina! I love how every new place always gives me a different, wonderful dance challenge, whether it’s a city or a small country village, you never know what to expect!
Pink Tutu Moments:
While in New York City, I spotted a few very special tutus out in the wild - not quite in their natural ballet environment, but nevertheless giving off some definite sparkle and ballerina-esque magic.
Pink Tutu #1: A little girl skipping with her grandmother across a flower market, her pink tutu bouncing with every joyous leap she took. - I couldn't help but stop and admire the beautiful image, pure joy embodied by her innocent dancing. It reminded me of the beautiful innocence of the pure, undiluted love for dancing.
*Pink Tutu #2: A pair of dancers, maybe around high school age, were filming their own street dance video and their playful dance moves sent me back to my own youth, when dance was simply fun, an expression, and a happy memory! * - They even included a very pink tutu!
A Farewell to New York:
As I boarded my plane to return to London, I couldn’t help but smile and reflect on how wonderful it is to experience life as a ballerina. I hope I can inspire you all to explore your passions, chase your dreams and remember that, with a little pink magic, you can do anything.
And remember, you can find your perfect pink tutu to wear too! And don’t forget to stay up to date with all of my pink-tutu adventures! Head over to www.pink-tutu.com every Monday for new blog posts filled with fashion tips, ballet fun, and my latest adventures! I hope to see you next week for a brand new blog!
Until then, remember that the only limit is your own imagination – and that everyone looks amazing in a pink tutu!
Emma, xx
