Tutu Tuesday in Ivry-sur-Seine, Île-de-France, France #tututuesday
G'day, lovelies! This week I'm taking you with me on a Parisian adventure – specifically to the chic suburb of Ivry-sur-Seine in Île-de-France. You might be surprised to hear this, but Paris isn't just about haute couture and pastries, there's a thriving ballet scene here, too.
And for a ballet dancer like myself, it's always a joy to discover the local talent and, more importantly, the gorgeous tutus!
Now, tutu aficionados, get ready to be spoilt! Ivry-sur-Seine is home to a fantastic local ballet company called – wait for it – Ballet Ivry! The dancers are seriously talented and passionate about their craft, which is inspiring, but what really caught my eye (apart from their fancy footwork, of course!) were their tutus.
Speaking of tutus, have you ever seen a more diverse array? It's not all traditional romantic tulle tutus – though let's be real, I do have a soft spot for those dreamy frilly things!
Ballet Ivry was a veritable tutu haven, offering everything from elegant, flowing, "La Sylphide" style tutus to more contemporary, streamlined designs, that felt almost like they were sculpted for the stage. One even sported a modern-day twist: a splash of bold, electric blue feathers, giving the whole ensemble a pop art feel.
The ballet world in France, it seems, isn't afraid to push the boundaries! The tutu style isn't just about aesthetic beauty but also functionality and expression.
My absolute favourite? This is a hard one to pick! However, the way the light danced on this one particular tutu's delicate, shimmering fabric, during their production of "Swan Lake," left me completely spellbound! And you know, the rest of the company did their fair share of swanning about in style. It was truly captivating.
You can't talk about tutus without touching on their significance. This quintessential garment holds such an incredible weight in the world of ballet. It’s a statement of grace, elegance and artistry – not to mention the immense effort and skill it takes to make a tutu really work its magic.
Here's a fun fact, Did you know that a tutu's history goes back way further than you think? They’ve actually evolved through centuries of design trends! Now you can add "tutu historian" to your resume, right? (Or just stick with the fancy footwork! Haha!)
But anyway, it's these captivating designs and their stories that keep me coming back for more – just like Ballet Ivry's dancers continue to draw me back. There's so much to love, even from the comfort of the front row!
For me, ballet is an incredible way to tell a story without speaking. Whether it’s a romantic tale, a battle for good versus evil or a story about personal growth, the dancers are masterful at bringing it to life with every leap and pirouette! But if I had to choose one thing, I'd have to say it's the stunning visual aspect of ballet, with tutus at the heart of it. Let's not forget those fancy, fancy costumes too! I’m seriously talking haute couture for your body.
In all, my visit to Ivry-sur-Seine to Ballet Ivry was pure joy! I even managed to squeeze in some "French pastries" afterwards – which just about completed the day.
I've got to get myself back there soon. So much to see, so many beautiful stories to tell!
Speaking of stories, do you have any fond memories involving tutus and ballet? Tell me about them! Let's make this #tututuesday one to remember!
Until next time, happy twirling, lovelies.
And for all you tutu lovers out there, keep those tags flowing: #tututuesday #balletivry #ivrysurseine #iledeFrance #balletlove #australianballet