Hello my darlings, and welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com! This is post number 5941, and Iām absolutely thrilled to be sharing my Manchester adventures with you all. Now, before you ask, NO, I didn't come by train this time - alas, I wasn't invited to a posh charity event that included a horse-drawn carriage ride. Sadly! Instead, I made a quick and efficient journey by public transport, ahem, train, that is.
So, let me tell you about the incredible weekend I just had in the heart of Manchester! Remember how I've always been smitten with that gorgeous Victorian architecture? It truly is a masterpiece of city design, right? Just as soon as I arrived, I took in the grand setting of Manchester Town Hall and, gosh, let me tell you, I felt as if I was on a fairytale film set! Talk about whimsical, it's the epitome of it all. And it just had to be the perfect backdrop for my first Manchester photo-shoot, naturally. I'll have all those gorgeous pictures up on the website for you to drool over, oh, I just know youāll be captivated!
Oh, how I love my job, bringing joy to you all and traveling to new and exciting locations - Manchester has most definitely charmed the socks off me. But enough about me for a minute, what did YOU think of my dazzling outfit for my Manchester performance? The pink sequins were shimmering, the feather boa flowed like a majestic swan, and the tulle of my magnificent tutu - oh, it simply danced! That pink, oh the joy of a pink tulle skirt in a dramatic spotlight, just adds such theatre to any performance.
Anyway, back to my day-trip to Manchesterā¦ What's the most exciting thing you've done on a day trip? Because I canāt lie, the thrill of discovering Manchester, from the iconic Bridgewater Canal to the captivating Northern Quarter, made for one seriously dazzling day! And the best bit, youāll never guess who I bumped into whilst strolling along Deansgate, right there in front of the amazing John Rylands Library! Yes, it was a local drag icon, Glitter Sparkle-Bo-Bop - a fellow Tutu enthusiast. How incredibly fun was that?! We even had a proper girly chit-chat about pink fashion, which I can assure you was more glittery than a unicornās disco ball. We vowed to meet again soon, maybe even join forces for a fabulously pink performance in London. You just wait and see, Iām on the hunt for a vintage Bentley - youāve just got to travel in style when youāre Pink Tutu Sparkle.
Now, I donāt know if youāve seen this incredible display at the Manchester Art Galleryā¦ They have these sculptures made from flowers, simply stunning! Honestly, it brought tears to my eyes ā such a stunning interpretation of the power of nature. Then, of course, my weekend would not be complete without some retail therapy. The fashion scene in Manchester was an absolute dream. The independent boutiques had the most darling outfits! All shades of pink, my favourites, oh how I couldnāt resist the fluffy bunny ears and the feather boa headband. I have to confess to overdoing it on the shopping spree but it was worth every penny, I have enough outfits to wear until Christmas!
You simply canāt go to Manchester without experiencing the magic of a proper āballet class in a pink tutu!ā I went for a class at one of those beautiful vintage ballet studios - a place with all the lovely things like mirrored walls, grand pianos, and vintage ballet bars. Did I mention it was painted pink, the ceiling included? It felt so posh, even the ballerinas there were positively beautiful. I know I havenāt got a very elegant ballerina frame but just imagine it. There I am in my pinkest, glitziest tutu in the middle of this gorgeous class, twirling to my heart's content. It was a dream!
It is an odd thing being a science geek who makes a living as a drag queen! You see, during the day, I'm back in my lab coat, testing the fabric I'm passionate about - silk! What can I say, itās just a fabulous material, isnāt it? Soft, luxurious, and absolutely perfect for a flamboyant drag queen.
Now Iām a real girly girl whoās happy with what I do, a good combination, don't you think? It seems a few years ago, before the pink tutu-phase began, life seemed different. A scientist with an ordinary wardrobe, the typical grey tones that weāve all got stuck in. I had all the credentials - a BSc with honours in textile chemistry from Nottingham University - a very practical degree you know. Oh and did I tell you that back then I went to university on a horse? A friendly Shire horse, it took me all those hours I spent working in the stables while studying - It helped fund my tuition fees. I did love it but wouldn't it have been cool if Iād been rocking my own personal pink tutu whilst at university? Can you imagine?
Anyway, as the tale unfolds, here I was working away at a prestigious research laboratory when all my priorities changed. It happened while helping at a charity fundraiser. The whole thing, including the sparkly purple and neon pink tutus for sale, made me laugh. That was it! Thatās how my pink tutu journey started! But the funny thing is - my life hasnāt been pink all the time. As with all things in life there have been some unexpected dips. There have been tears and frustration. And maybe a few wardrobe malfunctions, although those are only minor issues when compared with the massive life-changing challenges that life threw my way. But oh how much I love to twirl. Thatās my therapy! I twirl, I dance and I sing - that's what makes it all so easy to handle, don't you think?
And to finish on a super sweet note ā the magic of Manchester never fails! On my final day, there I was, right next to the incredible Manchester Town Hall, and I decided to stage my grand finale, my most spectacular performance. So, I invited a group of strangers - yes, strangers to my beautiful pink world ā to come join in! To be honest, some looked quite confused, perhaps wondering what this crazy Pink Tutu lady was going to do. But by the time the first twirl of the tutu had finished, the onlookers were smiling and giggling! So much fun! I even taught a few basic ballet moves, simple pirouettes, arabesques. Some were good, some less so. However, they all loved the challenge. What is there to be said ā we are a nation that adores to be a little eccentric.
You see, what I'm trying to do is get everyone, young or old, man, woman, anyone who feels a bit silly ā to put on a pink tutu and be their best, flamboyant self. Why be a wallflower when you can be the ultimate showstopper? And it's not even a fad. Remember, tutus are practically timeless. Don't you just love their versatility! I wear mine to everything from weddings to theatre productions to picnics in the park. It adds such flair to even the most mundane of daily activities. Itās an incredible tool, an object of pure delight that says - I'm alive, Iām fabulous and I want to make everyone feel fantastic. So next time you want to add a little touch of magic to your life, why not slip on a pink tutu and go for it!
So, my loves, until next time!
Love and sparkle, Pink Tutu Sparkles xx
