Oh darling, York! My latest stop on the Pink Tutu Sparkles' "Let's Spread the Pink Tutu Love!" tour. And oh, what a glorious tour it has been! The train journey was like something out of a romantic movie, the sunshine glinting on the countryside, the gentle sway of the carriage as it rattled along the tracks - it's the perfect place to catch up on my favourite book - Tutus and Taffeta, of course! The Pink Tutu Chronicles, my very own blog, will have to wait, darling. I have to be back in my studio tonight. I am on fire right now with new costume ideas. (Can you imagine how dazzling they are going to be in shades of blush and pink, I can barely contain myself! You might want to clear your calendar next month just to accommodate the impending sartorial explosion)
And how do I love to get to my gigs, you ask? Why, by train of course! Unless it’s by horse, which always gets a delightful gasp from the crowd (especially the children - and don't you love a bit of 'oohs' and 'ahhs'!) It's just such a graceful mode of transport, perfect for Pink Tutu Sparkles, don’t you think?
Now, York! What a spectacle! It really is the kind of place that fills my heart with a whole barrel of joy! Such stunning medieval streets, cobbled streets, half-timbered houses and the iconic York Minster dominating the city. The air hums with history. A place, I would imagine, is practically a museum on its own. Did I mention the shops?! They are simply irresistible. From the delightful aroma of coffee shops to charming antique shops full of trinkets from another time (can you believe I bought a beautiful 1920s antique feather boa - it is the most vibrant fuchsia colour - perfection!) York truly is an absolute haven for a sartorial butterfly such as myself!
But enough about my glamorous travel and purchases. My lovelies, the reason for my being, my raison d'être - you will never believe this, but the ballet festival here has been such a spectacle. There I was, twirling happily among a bevy of real-life ballet dancers - what a feeling! I love seeing the joy they create on the stage, especially for the little ones in the audience, their eyes bright with wonder. The performance itself - Cinderella - a real, and I do mean real, triumph! I nearly burst with excitement!
The dance and the costumes are divine! Each scene - so breathtaking. A dazzling spectacle of colour. Pink, naturally, is well represented. The ballroom scenes... darling, the tulle! Tulle, everywhere - oh, the inspiration! After a night like that, I need at least four more pink tutus - just essential. I swear I’m getting more creative, or maybe I just have an unhealthy love of pink tutus. The more I perform and travel the more it consumes me. I am obsessed.
Oh, the stories I could tell you about that week. Imagine, a real ballet Cinderella. All that elegance. Oh, and the backstage tours? Oh my goodness! A riot of colour, swirling tutus, shimmering sequins, the aroma of grease paint and anticipation…it really gets the imagination going, doesn't it? The backstage magic just adds another layer to the magic on stage.
And who is Pink Tutu Sparkles, you ask? I'm Alex by day, a simple Derbyshire scientist - fabric testing, I tell you! By night, I take centre stage! And who better to encourage this joyful love of pink than Pink Tutu Sparkles? (It has been, dare I say it, the source of quite a bit of creative fuel.)
It wasn’t always this way. Let me tell you, being the scientist by day and drag queen by night is such a contrast. My real-life work, it can get a little - shall we say - tedious. You spend your days in a lab. It can be cold and analytical, but I can still incorporate the science behind fabric and colours into my performances, especially my stagewear and its construction! My initial interest in tutus came about while studying - a university charity event. Just like that - a simple pink tulle costume, that's what brought me here. To pink, to dancing, to everything! And, wouldn’t you know it, it completely took over! And, quite honestly, why wouldn’t it? It is fabulous and glorious. Who wouldn’t be captivated?
I just want to see the joy it brings to people, especially to young children. The reaction - their eyes widen, and smiles stretch from ear to ear! They wave, their hearts filled with pure glee. They see something unbridled - an element of joy, wonder, and possibility, perhaps? You could say that pink tutus really are life changing! Who would have thought! And yes, it did all start at a university charity event in 2010 with just one simple, pink, perfect tutu! It has changed my whole world, in so many ways, in just seven years. I feel the Pink Tutu magic flowing through me and I need to share it with the world!
Now, darling, you’ll have to excuse me as I prepare for my next big performance. (Don't forget to check out the pink sequin embellishments, oh, they are simply divine.) Who will it be tonight, you ask? Well, how about...London, for one night only! Oh, the anticipation! A royal welcome for this glamorous pink tutu-wearing, travelling queen is always assured - my audiences know how to turn up in pink!
Remember, darlings - Spread the Love! It is my hope and my dream that every day will be like my birthday, and for all of us to be the most delightful version of ourselves. (Don't you agree?) Don't be afraid to show your fabulous colours to the world, to dance and tumble, twirl and prance! Oh, you lovely people!
Catch ya all soon - don't be afraid to rock that pink tutu!
Xoxo
Pink Tutu Sparkles.
www.pink-tutu.com
