Bonjour, my darling tututistas! It's Emma here, fresh off the EuroStar and absolutely buzzing with excitement. Today is Saturday, the 22nd of December 2001, and I'm finally in Paris! It's a little nippy, but my darling pink tutu is perfectly prepared for the chilly air thanks to a cosy, feather-boa lined cape I picked up at the vintage market in Derbyshire last week (it’s quite a find, believe me!).
This is the beginning of a brand-new adventure in the City of Lights, a city that practically begs to be twirled in! I've always dreamt of coming here – the cobblestone streets, the majestic Eiffel Tower, the chic Parisian women – it’s pure fairytale. Honestly, I can't even begin to describe the pure joy I feel just walking around, absorbing all the gorgeous details.
I’ve already discovered the most adorable café near my hotel – "Les Fleurs de la Musique" – the most enchanting name ever! And their almond croissants are beyond dreamy, absolutely perfect for a breakfast fuelled with ballet-inspiration. You’ve got to believe me, there is no finer way to kick off the day.
Speaking of breakfast and inspiration, I wanted to share something truly magical. I spent the past few weeks practicing an original ballet routine inspired by Parisian street dancers – a perfect blend of elegance and playful sass! It’s all about expressing yourself through movement, a sort of “balletic street performance” if you will. I’m really excited about sharing it with you, dear tututistas! Look out for my next blog post where I’ll be sharing the details and maybe even a little snippet of the dance itself! (shhhh... it's top secret until then, darling!)
So, what's on the agenda for today? After finishing off this croissant, my tutu and I are going to get acquainted with the local markets for some delicious Parisian goodies. The cheese, the bread, the pastries... I’m dreaming of the buttery deliciousness already! Then, we’ll be heading to a grand ballet performance at the Palais Garnier. Honestly, can you imagine a more delightful afternoon?
Oh, and for you lovely readers who’ve been following my #PinkTutuBlog adventures since the beginning, remember the story of that incredible ballet performance I caught in Birmingham back in November? (I wrote about it in post #96 – a masterpiece with the most enchanting costumes!) Well, get ready for a little secret reveal. I found out that the renowned costume designer for that show, Mr. Jacques Moreau, has a workshop here in Paris! It’s just too divine to be true! I have to tell you about this incredible place soon! I have a sneaking suspicion this adventure will be bursting with secrets, surprises and lots of tulle!
For tonight, I have booked a beautiful table at a traditional French restaurant. They promise "la vie en rose"! My, my! A delightful pink ballet tutu has never been more at home.
As always, my darlings, remember: never stop twirling, embrace your inner sparkle, and if you dare, maybe even step into your own fabulous pink tutu! ✨🩰
Much love, Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
#PinkTutuBlogParis: Adventures in Couture 🛍️💖
It’s Sunday morning here in Paris, and I'm already planning my day with the delicate elegance only possible in the City of Lights. But first, my darlings, I have to share the most incredible night with you!
I mentioned the ballet performance last night at the Palais Garnier, yes? And how stunning it was? Well, after the final bow and the standing ovation, a most delightful thing happened. A gentleman introduced himself and called me “madame, an angel in pink,” which I just loved! I always appreciate the compliments on my signature colour! It seems the ballet company knew about my blog and I received an invitation to the post-show party at a secret garden in the city! Just think of all those gorgeous costumes in a lush green paradise… divine!
But that wasn’t all! My new friend, the charming gentleman in question, actually happened to be the costume designer for the show. This must have been fate! He is absolutely delightful, we bonded over our mutual adoration of lace, silk and all things twirly! Turns out he is Monsieur Jacques Moreau, whose incredible designs I had previously gushed about in post #96! This world truly feels magical. The kind of magical where all your dreams become real, just like that, if you have enough faith in a pink tutu and the power of belief!
And to top it all off? I was also invited to visit his design studio this afternoon! So much for a relaxing Sunday. Today I am meeting Jacques at the most breathtaking atelier filled with luxurious silks, sparkling sequins and even a real ballerina workshop in the back.
What a fairytale this whole thing is!
Stay tuned my darling tututistas! I'll be posting from his studio soon with photos, details, and a little inside scoop on this divine world of ballet costumes!
Much love, Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
#PinkTutuBlogParis - Monsieur Moreau’s Wonderland 🎨💖🩰
Bonjour, darlings! Today’s blog is filled with secrets! Well, maybe not “secrets”, more like… “divine revelations”, but let’s go with secret! whispers conspiratorially 😉 As you know, I spent an extraordinary Sunday exploring the heart of Paris. That secret garden post-show party was pretty special and let’s just say a certain Mr. Jacques Moreau is now a very close friend.
We visited his magnificent atelier - I really can’t describe the breathtaking beauty! Think shimmering silk draped across ancient looms, an air thick with the scent of fabric dye and vintage charm. The kind of atelier you would find in an old ballet movie, you know the ones with all those wonderful details that set the heart aflutter.
The whole space is dedicated to the world of dance! Just walking in, my mind was overwhelmed with ideas, inspired by all these beautiful creations just waiting to come to life. There are costumes everywhere - elegant classical ballets from “Swan Lake,” bold and contemporary outfits with feathers and flowing chiffon, even stunning outfits from "Sleeping Beauty" in every shade of pink you can imagine!
It’s truly magical – like Alice falling into Wonderland, only the costumes are shimmering tulle instead of playing cards. 😉 He has these incredible vintage fabrics tucked away in cupboards! Even his sewing room has a vintage charm with old needles and needles and reels of colourful thread.
Mr. Moreau was generous enough to share a little bit of his experience with me, which is, of course, invaluable to a budding ballet enthusiast like myself. It was an inspiring conversation and filled with wonderful stories about ballet costumes! Did you know that the fabrics used in dance costumes have to be special, not just beautiful but able to move freely, and last for years of use! The man knows his fabrics! He shared secrets about hand-dyed fabrics that only look just like the ones in the 1920s and vintage lace that took years to find. And he shared his special formula for creating the perfect ballerina tutu, including a trick for layering to make the tutu more full and fluffy - a secret that I can’t wait to try out when I go back to Derbyshire.
This was honestly, the kind of experience that can change you - seeing the true love and passion in every stitch, every bead, every feather. He showed me how they sew and bead each design, hand-sew the tulle on to create the perfect silhouette! You see, my dear tututistas, you just don’t realize how much effort goes into the costumes that you see on stage!
In that magical workshop, amongst a whirlwind of fabric, needles and laughter, we discussed ideas for my very own custom ballet tutu! Just imagine – a pink tulle masterpiece! It will be perfect for dancing on cobblestones! I am so incredibly excited for this project - it's truly going to be a magical creation. ✨
Now, I have a ballet class at the “École de Ballet de Paris” this morning - an early start! And then I'm off to the Champs-Élysées, darling! 🛍️ I need a new hat, to go with my custom pink tutu - of course. The new “Ballet Boudoir” collection! 😉
As always, remember, darlings: embrace your inner tutuista, believe in magic, and if you’re feeling courageous, go and ask for a custom ballet tutu of your own! 🩰 💖
Much love, Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
#PinkTutuBlogParis: A Parisian Ballet Boutique 💖🩰
Happy Monday, darlings! Paris is absolutely wonderful, a true Parisian dream. I’ve been twirling and spinning my way around the city - trying to soak up all of its glorious elegance and romantic charm. Today, my journey takes me back to the fabulous, oh-so-Parisian world of fashion! 🛍️
Now, I have to be completely transparent, I might be a tiny bit obsessed with shopping for clothes and accessories! It’s how I recharge after my many ballet performances. What better way to celebrate my achievements than a fabulous purchase from my favourite boutique?!
Speaking of fabulous, yesterday, my heart truly skipped a beat when I stumbled across a darling little ballet-themed boutique called “Les Belles Danseuses” in the heart of Montmartre! imagine my joy! My mind practically sang with delight as I entered this quaint, oh-so-Parisian little boutique and suddenly I just wanted to start swirling around, doing grand jeté! sigh! The place is just heavenly for all my tututista dreams - with shelves filled with pink tutus, glittery ballerinas, satin shoes, velvet bonnets, and lace ribbons! Oh my, it’s the sort of place a ballerina princess could truly find joy, like a sweet confectionary store made just for us, dancers and twirlers!
“Les Belles Danseuses” also happens to be the official outfitter for “École de Ballet de Paris,” the very prestigious ballet school I told you about, darling! (remember my class earlier, I said I felt like I was about to twirl right into the clouds). It seems there’s something utterly divine about seeing these dance clothes – designed for such grace and elegance – on the shelves in such a romantic Parisian boutique, like an ode to all things ballet!
Honestly, I spent ages browsing, like a child lost in a wonderful wonderland of pretty, twirly clothes! They even had velvet caps with long lace veils to match your ballet costumes. That was such a discovery! What I loved was the array of different pinks and blues that I found in each store, truly enough colours to delight every kind of ballerina.
For my purchases this time I decided to treat myself to a charming and beautiful ballerina outfit. Let’s be real, a pink tulle tutu and silk pink ballet shoes were just waiting to come home with me. I felt like a true French princess in it – ready for a Parisian ballet class at “École de Ballet de Paris,” of course, but maybe just with an added Parisian twist - a long satin robe over the whole look, a soft touch of blush pink to perfectly set off the Parisian blush in the beautiful velvet cap!
To make everything truly perfect I finished off the day with a traditional French macaron and a very beautiful latte, enjoying the Parisian sunshine and watching children giggle in the streets. What better way to feel inspired than by seeing young ballerinas dreaming in their little pink tutus, on the streets of the City of Lights! I couldn’t imagine a more blissful moment for my soul. The beauty of Paris simply has a way of capturing your heart, one romantic street at a time.
As always, darlings, keep those toes pointed and your spirits soaring! I will be posting another update very soon! 🩰💖
Much love, Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
