Bonjour, darlings!
Emma here, back from a whirlwind week in Paris and absolutely bursting to share it all with you! As you know, my motto is live life in a pink tutu and that's precisely what I did, even if a few curious looks came my way on the Eurostar... it's all part of the fun! I adore travelling by train. The rhythmic chug-chug of the tracks always inspires me, plus there's something utterly glamorous about whizzing through the countryside, arriving in a chic metropolis like Paris, ready to tutu up the place!
This trip was a little different, though. I had a rather large project brewing – my latest, most extravagant, ballet-themed fashion show! You see, I fund my wanderlust through my ballet performances, which is the absolute best way to travel – after all, you can't wear a tutu to an office job! But before I share all the fab details about that, let's dive right into my Paris adventures…
Weekends In Paris: Shopping And Street ArtI was so excited about arriving on Saturday (the perfect day, really) because that’s when the real Paris magic starts! This week’s itinerary? A whirlwind tour of les boutiques, a spot of spectacular street art, and a much-needed ballet-style workout to keep those legs in shape.
My trusty travel buddy (you already know, my pink tutu - it makes packing SO easy!) and I stepped off the Eurostar at Gare du Nord feeling like ballerinas fresh out of a magical storybook. It’s always fascinating to see the way Paris seems to ripple and dance around me; there's just something about this city that makes my imagination leap! After checking into our lovely, tucked-away hotel in the Latin Quarter – swoon! I knew this was going to be a great trip!
The day's main mission: find the perfect pink accessories for my Paris performances. It seems impossible to find a single thing without a touch of pink, which is just wonderful! After an amazing macaroon break, (the French really do macarons better, you know!) I headed to the enchanting, antique-filled district of Le Marais. Forget chain stores, darlings! Le Marais has such a gorgeous vintage vibe that I had to spend the afternoon trawling through tiny boutiques bursting with treasures. And you know what? I even found a tiny tutu that matched my pink one perfectly - perfect for a Parisian ballet afternoon!
We walked along the Seine, admiring the street artists painting in bold colours, all ready for Paris Photo, an art festival which takes place annually here. It was just breathtaking, the vibrancy and creativity of it all! The city felt alive and full of passion!
After an incredible baguette supper – no need to fancy restaurants, really – the baguette life is fantastic - we strolled past the illuminated Notre-Dame, its beauty etched against the Paris sky. Then, it was time for a little exercise...
Now, every Parisian trip requires a visit to the École Nationale Supérieure de Danse, the ballet school nestled inside the gorgeous Palais Garnier opera house. Yes, you heard right! Every ballet dancer needs to move those legs! I put on my trusty pink tutu and was delighted to see other ballet dancers, clearly in the Parisian mindset, all wearing beautiful tutus as they walked around the building. This is a dream school. This is where legends are made, and I just soaked in the magic!
Sunday: The day I found a new dance studio!
I am absolutely obsessed with Paris, the culture, the history, the elegance! The cobblestone streets just beg you to walk them, and that’s exactly what I did on my Sunday adventure! Paris really is a city of beautiful walks - past fountains and quaint little squares and beautiful gardens. I really did fall in love with the place all over again, if that is even possible!
Of course, a true dancer's heart beats for more than just Parisien scenery. This day, I set out to find a little boutique where they sell dancing shoes! After asking a few lovely ladies on the streets for some recommendations, I discovered a tiny studio, hidden away on a quiet back street. Imagine this – beautiful hand-stitched ballet slippers, in shades of white, pink and, you guessed it, even black! You couldn't ask for more! My new dancing shoes were already warming up with me, ready for all the Parisian street ballet dancing!
After indulging in another Parisian tradition, crepes, it was time to treat myself to a little culture. The most beautiful opera house in the world – yes, I mean the Garnier, home to the Opéra National de Paris! The sheer elegance of the grand auditorium left me breathless. They even have a special area dedicated to ballet dancers – with beautiful practice bars, it really was just stunning. And yes, of course, I waltzed around the stage - it's a little ritual for me. To imagine the ballerinas who have danced here – breathtaking. I think I've found a little piece of ballet heaven right here in Paris.
Later on, my dance soul craved the magic of live performance, so it was off to the Châtelet Theatre! Candide was in town and we spent the evening under the spell of the magical production. Oh my goodness, the costumes, the sets, the ballet performances, everything just took my breath away. I wish I could bottle the magical Parisian atmosphere and keep it in a tiny bottle in my pink tutu bag forever!
A week in Paris: Ballet Dreams And Paris FashionMonday to Friday: Oh how I love my week-long ballet immersion in Paris! I started each day by exploring the streets. From the stunning, romantic beauty of Luxembourg Gardens, the serene Parisian charm of Le Jardin des Tuileries to the charming views of the Eiffel Tower, I wandered everywhere! Each walk gave me a fresh perspective and inspired new ideas, especially for my show.
These walks also let me immerse myself in Parisian style. Let's be honest, the city exudes effortless chic – every little detail from the colourful scarves on Parisian ladies to the stylish men in tweed jackets, every outfit feels put together, polished, with just the perfect touch of Parisian magic! They inspired me to try something different – my trusty tutu with a more French touch and a vintage trench coat I found while browsing those amazing boutiques!
And of course, a walk isn't complete without stopping for a tarte. I mean, you simply must have a tart - it is the law.
On Wednesday, my little heart danced when I found a charming ballet shop, bursting with the most beautiful leotards, tights, and shoes! A few moments there were truly enough to set my fashionista heart alight! My tutu even seemed to shimmy with excitement! Of course, a new leotard and matching pair of pointe shoes were inevitable - they were just too adorable to leave behind. I couldn't resist the gorgeous ballet accessories too – little pink ribbon bows, dazzling sparkly tiaras, and dazzlingly-embellished hair clips - every detail has to be perfect. I even bought a few tutus to spread the love and get the Parisians twirling.
You know how much I love vintage pieces, so it’s no surprise that Thursday saw me hopping into the Musée Carnavalet! Just imagine, darling - gorgeous old pieces, beautiful costumes – an absolute treasure trove of Paris's sartorial history, from centuries past, and all under one roof!
And Friday saw me exploring some more ballet schools, this time for my fashion show – my eyes sparkled with possibilities. Imagine my delight when I found a Parisian ballet academy right next to the stunning Notre-Dame - its beauty and history have so much power - I knew instantly that this would be my venue.
Paris In A TutuThe entire trip culminated in the Paris Fashion Show that evening! Yes, dear readers, this was it, the ballet performance and fashion extravaganza, featuring the Pink Tutu Collection. My love affair with ballet had grown so strong over the past few years, that I wanted to bring this passion to Paris! The whole show was truly Parisian from start to finish – think dazzling outfits, enchanting ballet choreography, the music, and of course the Parisian setting. But let me tell you, getting all the details perfect was no walk in the park!
You see, when I say “collection,” I really mean Pink Tutu collection. My dancers all performed in Pink Tutu inspired outfits, which ranged from breathtaking tutus with dazzling sequined embellishments and luxurious velvet fabrics – to whimsical pieces that moved with a ballerina’s graceful form! My outfits celebrated all aspects of ballet!
As I always say – "Spread the joy with a pink tutu!" The show was an absolute smash – it really gave a new, stylish twist to my pink tutu love! There were some incredibly talented dancers - all twirling, leaping, and expressing their love of ballet!
I absolutely love that we could celebrate my personal fashion style in the City of Lights! I don’t think I'll ever forget the evening; it was truly magical!
But the adventure continues, darlings! Paris never truly lets you go, so there'll be plenty more Paris-themed pink-tutu moments on PinkTutu.com each week! Be sure to subscribe, so you don't miss a single moment of my latest travels!
Until then, don't forget to live your life in a pink tutu, wherever you are. And keep spreading the joy!
A bientot!
Emma xx
P.S. I have some wonderful pictures to share on my Instagram feed too! Come and have a peek @pinktutu and share your pink tutu adventures! I love seeing your style.
