Hello darlings! Itâs Emma here, and itâs time for another #TutuBlog post. You wouldnât believe the whirlwind week Iâve had! Iâm still buzzing from last week's performance with my troupe, and after all that, I headed straight to Germany to find the perfect tutu for our new production!
Let me tell you, dear reader, I never realised how diverse tutus can be until I got to Munich! My aim, as always, is to find the absolute best tutu for any given situation, and in Germany, they do tutus on a whole other level!
I landed in Munich late Wednesday evening, exhausted from the train journey (which was surprisingly peaceful; the gentleman opposite me had an enormous basket of fluffy rabbits with him for the entire journey. He wasn't smelly at all, thankfully!). After checking into a quaint hotel with a charming view of the old town, I couldn't resist throwing on my favourite blush-pink satin number and taking a stroll along the Isar river, watching the swans gliding on the water.
Thursday was tutu day! The shop, Tutu TĂȘte-Ă -TĂȘte , was this enchanting little boutique tucked away in the heart of the city. Imagine, if you will, a Parisian boudoir infused with the vibrancy of a circus tent, and youâve got a good picture of it.
And the tutus, oh the tutus! My heart fluttered at the sheer selection - tulle as soft as a babyâs bottom, sequins glittering like starlight, and oh so many shades of pink, from pale rose to hot fuchsia! It was a tutu-lovers paradise!
However, the hunt wasnât all sweetness and sequins. This German tutu shop had its quirks. The shop assistant, letâs just say she wasn't the most⊠outgoing. She practically gave me the silent treatment! Maybe she had a bad experience with a British tutu enthusiast? Who knows!
But letâs be honest, dear readers, who can blame her? When someone strides into the shop with a flamboyant pink tutu in tow, she's bound to be a little intimidated, right?
She did manage to explain to me, in broken English (that sounds so much more dramatic than simply âshe didn't speak much Englishâ!), that their stock of traditional tutus were minimal, and they specialized in a style they called, âZeitgeist Tutus.â Zeitgeist? Seriously?
Turns out, "Zeitgeist" is a German word that means âthe defining spirit or mood of a particular periodâ and I was in for a shock! I mean, I had always admired the traditional ballet tutu - the delicate lightness, the perfect tiers - but these Zeitgeist ones were on another level altogether. They were these radical, edgy designs, incorporating everything from metal mesh to recycled fabrics, a fusion of punk and high fashion, a modern interpretation of classic ballet! I admit, I was initially a little bit thrown.
My goal was to find the perfect pink tutu for my new production - a ballet piece set in a futuristic city where pink isn't just a colour, but an emblem of defiance and hope! The Zeitgeist tutus were edgy and bold, maybe just what I needed. I started trying them on. I'm no fashionista, I am the tutu-ist! So, this is the bit where I completely messed things up, by putting on a futuristic tutu that had silver feathers and holographic fabric. The shop assistant gasped, looked around the shop as if she was afraid of being caught in the act of helping someone put on this very radical and futuristic piece of couture!
This just wasnât the style for the performance! My heart sank - it seemed my mission for the perfect tutu was going to be far from smooth sailing!
Just when all hope seemed lost, I saw it. Tucked away behind a rack of extravagant tulle and feather creations, was a masterpiece. The most delicate, softest, shimmering, most gorgeous pink tutu you could ever imagine, it looked like a ballerina cloud, and oh, how it spoke to my soul!
It wasnât your typical, traditional tutu, mind you. It had this whimsical twist, this ethereal elegance that resonated with me so deeply. A cloud of layered tulle in an ethereal shade of pink that reminded me of a summer sunset on the Derbyshire moors. I was entranced. It had these little silver stars that added a touch of glamour, yet they didnât detract from the delicate beauty of the design. It felt absolutely perfect.
It didnât feel edgy like those Zeitgeist tutus but, somehow, felt bold and fearless. It was modern yet classic, timeless yet current.
I've learned a thing or two from this tutu hunt in Munich. Itâs not about just sticking with tradition, dear readers. Sometimes, itâs about pushing boundaries, embracing new ideas, finding what makes you feel most beautiful, bold and confident. This is what gives the tutu it's magic.
Well, thatâs me off to my Ballet Barre Class. I just love the ritual, the energy in the room. As always, a gentle reminder to you all to embrace your inner tutu girl. Itâs not just about dance, itâs about expression, about embracing your femininity. Put on your best pink tutu, let your hair down, and twirl your way into happiness!
Stay fabulous, Emma
P.S. Have any of you guys tried the "Zeitgeist" trend? Would you wear it or do you prefer the traditional tutu? Share your thoughts!
