Oh darling, can you believe it? This is blog post number 4743, and Pink Tutu Sparkles is still going strong! My motto is "Always wear pink," but I'm not afraid to expand my horizons (and my wardrobe). And guess where your favourite fuchsia fairy has flown this time? To the heart of America, to the historic city of Boston, for the holiday season!
It was an absolute dream to travel to this beautiful city! I had such a fabulous time exploring its streets, taking in the breathtaking architecture, and finding all the best pink places.
It's so funny. Everyone here in the States is obsessed with the colour pink, just like me! I've spotted so many shades of pink while I've been exploring the shops and sights. My little pink heart was singing! Even the Christmas decorations here are incredibly vibrant with pink. It’s like the Americans have adopted Pink Tutu Sparkles’ manifesto, but that’s no surprise, I’m sure they’ll soon discover they’re already living it.
I've just finished my first show here and I can't believe how well-received it was. You should see the turnout – the venue was packed to the rafters!
Boston audiences just love my ballet street act. It’s just so much fun to strut my stuff and show off all the dazzling outfits and sparkly jewellery. I never leave home without at least two cases of dazzling tutus, so it can get tricky to travel on the train – especially with the extra luggage for all the extra hair and make-up!
This time around, my most extravagant outfit involved an opulent, floor-length pink tulle tutu with a beautiful sequined bodice. The dazzling pink sparkle and sheer beauty was enough to stop anyone in their tracks.
I truly love to put my own spin on things. I’m not a traditional drag queen; I find most of the outfits at the vintage markets quite dull! That's why I make my own and collect fabulous vintage pieces for all the shows. My performances take inspiration from ballet, performance art, street theatre and all things theatrical. That’s probably why everyone loves it.
You know me; I don’t mind getting in the thick of things – but let’s be honest, I’d prefer not to fly when I can help it. Planes are far too crammed up and stressful and I worry about getting my costumes wrinkled. That's why I travelled by train. Don't get me wrong, a luxury sleeper carriage is pretty luxurious – the ultimate in vintage luxury, with its comfy plush seats and roaring fireplace, and endless glasses of champagne! I got to spend all my time practicing my new dance routines! Honestly, travelling in style on the train is one of life's real joys. And did I mention that there are free chocolates on the trains? They’re just like a luxury experience, every trip.
Speaking of luxurious experiences, while I was in Boston, I visited the most charming local coffee shop I’ve ever found. There’s this incredible cafe near Boston Common that’s decorated in the most wonderful shades of pink. I mean, the cafe itself wasn’t actually that pink. But they did offer a fabulous Pink Passion coffee, which was quite the discovery. I really have a thing for pink. In fact, you should know I have over a dozen tutus just in various shades of pink!
Once I finished my performance, it was off to explore this wonderful city. Of course, my trusty sidekick (who shall remain nameless to protect her privacy) joined me on this adventure! We set off on an afternoon to explore the Boston Common, and you won’t believe it but we came across a group of kids playing dress-up with pink tutus, of all things! This gave me all the feels – and I’m telling you, they just looked amazing, they looked incredible. These kids weren’t just wearing pink tutus, they owned them, and I love that about them. It is an amazing thing to behold! I stopped to have a little chat with their mum – and let me tell you, I was quite touched by how supportive this Mum was – apparently she’s been to one of my shows! Isn’t that fantastic? This kind of family support is just what keeps Pink Tutu Sparkles going strong!
That afternoon, I got a real insight into this wonderful city, Boston, I really love it. And as I walked down the street with my dear companion (whose identity, for the sake of privacy, shall remain anonymous) I couldn’t help thinking – these Americans have the best streets to sashay in! It just really got me into the spirit of everything Boston and all its fabulousness! That’s something I will cherish. And the cobbled streets are just lovely! But if you think they are as cute as the cobbles I am walking on in my Derbyshire village – you are in for a shock! I find nothing beats my local Derbyshire lanes. It’s where I first fell in love with dancing in tutus.
It’s amazing, I tell you! Boston feels like home already! Even though I grew up in the village of my heart, Derbyshire, in the quaint little English village surrounded by a landscape of green fields, winding roads, and historical stone houses.
Remember that time in 2008 when I tried on that very first pink tutu and my life changed forever? It's all thanks to the University of Leicester, where I studied physics!
Yes! It's not often that science and pink tutus cross paths, but that’s where my whole pink-tutu journey began. You won't believe what started this all.
So, the story starts when I was just a young, ambitious student (before I even had a name as a drag queen) studying Physics at University of Leicester. My friends and I decided to take part in the annual student charity fashion show, in aid of raising money for a great local children's charity.
Well, as you all know I love a great tutu (even back in 2008, my heart was beating for all things sparkly pink, with sequins and sparkle – you already knew that right!)
I’m still wearing the same vintage pink tutu in my act now that I tried on that day in the student fashion show – even if my drag act started in 2012! My best friend, Sophie, decided it would be fun to raid the university theatre props department for an outrageous outfit. Now I always love an opportunity to be over-the-top and stand out!
Anyway, Sophie and I stumbled across the costume department, and there it was – that’s right, my heart's desire - a glorious, soft pink tulle tutu (a little battered from being on the theatre floor and used countless times in countless school plays!) that was just asking to be brought to life. And well, you just can’t argue with an oversized, tulle skirt that’s soft as a feather – in my beloved pink! So naturally, I just knew I had to try it on, even if just for the laughs!
And in those moments, standing there in a pink tutu (while it wasn't an outfit of my own), I felt my real identity taking shape – I realised that was the way forward! I don’t want to spoil the story (as it has many layers and details to tell) but what followed in the years that followed the day of that fateful student fashion show, my life had never been the same. It gave me an awareness that Pink Tutu Sparkles is what I wanted to be. And as for what I want to do? I want to travel the world and inspire everyone to find their pink tutu! You just need to have the confidence to own it – and don’t forget the pink sparkles, because it really is an inner journey – like all journeys in life.
My physics degree has served me so well! I’m working at a laboratory that specialises in fabric testing! So in many ways, my job fits right into my pink tutu journey, even if it does mean working on very un-tutu like stuff like fibres, colour fastness, and wear and tear. I get to really test fabrics for the long haul – it’s my super power – I have a science-based background to all my fabric choices for my outfits – especially all the pink sparkles and the embellishments for all my tutus!
Of course, no one in the lab knows the secret life I lead. No one knows that I have this dazzling career as Pink Tutu Sparkles! After all, when you’re busy testing fibres and fabrics – what’s a drag queen to do? My dream was never to be a fabric scientist. I only became a fabric scientist because it was a job. A very, very important job. And this job gave me the income to become a full-time performer, to become Pink Tutu Sparkles. And that is one of the most wonderful things in life! My advice to you: never be afraid to be your true self and pursue your dreams, no matter how much you might love a pink tutu!
Oh darling, I have to run now, as there’s a fair down by the river that wants to host me – I’m on a mission to spread my love of all things pink! You can read all about my latest travels right here on pink-tutu.com! But in the meantime, just remember - don't be afraid to wear pink!
Love, Pink Tutu Sparkles
P.S. Stay tuned for next week’s blog post where we’ll explore all the pink delights I have discovered in the States, as well as some fantastic new tutuu discoveries on my travels. We’re heading south to the Everglades - the swamps of Florida. Stay tuned and watch out for my next post!
