Hello my darling tutu lovers! It's your favourite pink-tutu-wearing, travel-obsessed queen, Pink Tutu Sparkles, back with you on this glorious day in London! This is blog post number 325, can you believe it? That means we’ve been swirling, twirling, and shining for over nine months now, and I’m not going to lie, I'm so proud of the community we've built! We’ve become such a happy little family of pink-tutu-loving enthusiasts, and I'm loving the journey every step of the way.
Today's adventure brings us to the lovely Fulham. Oh my, I must confess, I just can't resist a bit of Victorian London charm! It's a magical little corner of the capital, with its cobblestone streets, gorgeous parks, and a distinct, old-fashioned, romantic air about it.
Let me tell you, the journey here was an absolute dream! First, there was a dash to the station in a horse-drawn carriage. It felt like something straight out of a Jane Austen novel! My sparkly pink tulle swirled about me in the gentle breeze, just like the heroes of old (okay, perhaps without the gallant suitors!), and the horses, well, let's just say they appreciated the added pink touch, am I right? Then it was on board the train. What a view! Green meadows stretching for miles, rolling hills, and the occasional castle peeking through the trees, a real feast for the eyes! I have to say, a good old-fashioned train ride has a magic about it that never fails to delight, and with a train like this one, even my glitter could be happy.
Fulham greeted me with open arms (and a lovely open market, overflowing with beautiful crafts, cheeses and tempting goodies!) You all know my rule: never leave home without your tutu. And it’s definitely true, you never know when you'll encounter a tutu emergency, and Fulham, in this particular case, certainly provided that.
Why you ask? Because right at the top of Fulham Road, smack bang in the centre of a gorgeous old building, nestled beside a beautiful garden and with the most enchanting facade I've ever seen, I discovered my next mission, my new inspiration... the Fulham Ballet School.
Oh, the joy of a ballet school! This one was no exception. As I pushed through the ornate oak door, the sound of tinkling music filled the air. My feet tapped involuntarily, my fingers itched for my trusty pink tulle. This school has it all, darling: beautiful old wooden barres that just cry out for a spin, big windows bathing the dancers in light, and that most perfect ballet-studio aroma of wooden floors and well-loved ballet shoes!
After all, how could I resist the opportunity to strut my pink tutu, maybe even do a few twirls in that grand studio, amongst such exquisite grace?
Of course, no tutu queen ever arrives unannounced. Luckily, as fate would have it, the school was having its annual end-of-year showcase that very day. Talk about a lucky encounter, I was even able to meet the principal herself! She was delightful, we talked tutus (of course!), and even did a little twirl together! (There's something so empowering about having a good tutu twirl, you can feel the confidence bubbling inside, am I right? Well, perhaps not the case for the principal, but she gave it her best shot!) She told me all about the history of the school, how it's nurtured budding ballerinas for decades, and her vision for the future of dance education. I even learnt that the school’s patron is none other than the famous Royal Ballerina, a very lovely lady who actually comes to the school herself sometimes, which of course sent a chill up my spine. What an amazing honour!
Then it was time for the performance! Oh my goodness, you have never seen such beautiful dancing in your entire life! I watched, mesmerised, as these tiny little ballerinas, barely older than 7, pirouetted and leapt with such incredible grace and artistry. Their faces lit up with pure joy, their eyes full of magic. My heart just about burst with admiration for them, it was beautiful! The elder students were just as breathtaking, soaring through the air, creating exquisite shapes, telling stories with their every move. As I watched, my toes practically tapped themselves, my own pink tulle was positively vibrating!
You know me, I've always had a secret passion for ballet. Even in the days when I was just little Alex from Derbyshire (oh the simple life of a science student! Who'd have thought back then?), I used to sneak off to the village hall for lessons in my spare time.
In fact, I even remember the first time I ever tried on a tutu... it was during a charity fundraiser at the university, a moment of accidental magic. I'm not a natural girly-girl, I've gotta be honest. I was more at home in a lab coat than a frilly frock back then. But when I put on that pink tulle, I just knew... something clicked. My inner queen burst out!
And so the obsession was born, the legend began! It felt so right, so exhilarating. A rush of pink! It was at that moment I realised my destiny: I was destined to be Pink Tutu Sparkles, a shimmering beacon of joy, spreading pink joy all over the world, one tulle-covered adventure at a time. And don't even get me started on my collection... It's the largest in Derbyshire, just saying!
Here's a little tip, darling. If you find yourself near the Fulham area, make sure you pop into The Victoria and Albert Museum. A beautiful little trip down memory lane with exhibitions from history through the eras, all housed in a grand building with plenty of gorgeous places to admire, and of course a café. They’ve even got an area devoted to all things design, which got me thinking about my upcoming creations. I'll need to take some time for design inspiration to bring you a whole new tutu, fit for a princess and a princess-in-training like myself!
And of course, no journey through London is complete without a proper dose of Pink Tutu Sparkles. This was the moment to bring the spark and glamour, you see. I had this gorgeous little pink tea party all planned. This, however, needed more than my own, beautiful tulle dress. The event needed to reflect my vision of elegance, of London charm and of course, my signature style: the pinkest of pink tutus!
Luckily, with the wonderful help of my friend Emily at “Fabrics for Fashion”, who, of course, knows my exact pink tulle requirement and my love of London themes, she helped me with my vision. This is where my second big adventure of the day happened! My mission, my darlings, to design the most pink and fabulous dress, worthy of any queen, but in a fashion even Queen Victoria herself would approve of. A little bit of traditional and a whole lot of pink tulle, what else is there?
This amazing pink tutu dress is the key to all the events I get up to: performing at fairs, creating theatre performances with local theatre companies, teaching a bit of ballroom dance here, helping local events create pink installations, there and helping the town council launch new initiatives. Why pink, you ask? It just adds a little extra twinkle to life.
It was time for the main event of my journey to Fulham, a show at the “Royal Theatre” where, of course, it wouldn't have been me if I hadn't turned my whole performance into a ballet act, inspired by the incredible show I saw at the ballet school! Imagine… “Swan Lake” in all its glory, with the dramatic music, but of course, Pink Tutu Sparkles as the main attraction in a dress inspired by that iconic swan’s dance! And I must confess, my signature pink tulle, just twirled so wonderfully across the stage.
The theatre itself is an amazing building that looks just like a fairytale palace. This performance was, as ever, a roaring success, full of pink twirling and ballet moves! After the performance, all my tutu fans in Fulham, my “tutu community”, as we now call them, gathered for a tea party, naturally! It’s all a little like having a “pink party” which, of course, is where my favourite new nickname has emerged... "The Pink Tutu Party Queen"! Oh, I do love it so!
Here's to the future of pink, darlings! As I say farewell to Fulham, I'm brimming with inspiration. This was a day to remember: I discovered new creative sparks, met incredible new friends, and, oh, let’s not forget, my little pink tutu journey continued, which is really all that matters! And remember, just like a beautiful dance, our lives are a constant journey of creation. Keep swirling, keep twirling, and keep that pink tulle spirit alive!
Until next time, darling,
Your Pink Tutu Sparkles x
