G'day from your girl, Amelia, living the Parisian dream! It's officially Tutu Tuesday, and I'm kicking off this week with some major #tututuesday vibes. I'm always on the hunt for the perfect tutu, and I think I found one today in Poissy, Ile-de-France!
Being a ballerina who loves nothing more than a classic, full-skirted tutu, I'm always hunting down these beauties. Luckily for me, Poissy, this cute little city in the region of Ile-de-France has a thriving ballet scene, and with it comes some serious tutu-spotting opportunities. They really don't do a full tutu better than they do over here.
My #tututuesday quest led me to this fabulous little ballet boutique right in the heart of Poissy, a haven for tutu enthusiasts like myself. Let me tell you, they have an array of tulles and tiers, more ruffles and ribbon than you could ever imagine. It was like a little slice of dance heaven right in the heart of Ile-de-France!
- Romantic & Classic Tutu Designs: Let's just say that this place is my new favourite spot. Not just for their selection, but their knowledge too. They understand a ballerina needs a perfect tutu. This place isn't just a shop, it's a community of ballet-lovers where the staff and their advice on how to pick a tutu for your ballet style are top notch.
- The French Touch: There was something so elegant and delicate about the designs, that classic, soft, Parisian vibe is just there! And I found it reflected in every tutu they had - from the pastel pink for beginners to the stark white for professionals. There's a sense of art to how the designs are brought together, that unique French artistry!
You know I'm a girl who likes her choices and these guys had a range! They've got something for every ballerina, from the little prima ballerina in the making to the experienced, seasoned dancer like myself. I was immediately smitten by a classic white, full-skirted tutu with the most beautiful intricate detailing on the bodice, giving off such a classical ballerina feel. Oh, my! Talk about picture-perfect for that quintessential fairytale performance, I simply adore it!
And the absolute highlight? This boutique understands that we dancers need a tutu for every occasion. They've got the ones that are perfect for performances, and then they've got the more casual, fun ones too, for rehearsals or maybe even just for dancing around in my flat (my favourite past time, actually, lol).
There were beautiful pastel tutus, some with playful patterns on them and, of course, a wide range of lengths for every type of performance, with the classic mid-length for those beautiful adagio and corps de ballet moves and the longer length for pieces that truly tell a story through dance. It's a dream for a ballerina with a closet overflowing with every tutu imaginable (which, if you know me, is actually the case - never enough tutus, guys!)
Now, I know what you're thinking. 'You're in France, the birthplace of classical ballet. How good must the tutus be in that part of the world?'
My friend, France takes ballet very, very seriously! So serious, it even gets its own holiday - Ballet Day! Celebrated on May 22, this holiday pays tribute to dance in France! The craftsmanship in France's tutus reflects the importance that is placed on ballet in this country and this city has such a special vibe to it - its love for dance truly shows in its unique tutu designs.
I was actually lucky enough to meet a French ballerina (super lovely lady - she said she saw me blog and wanted to say hi, haha!) at the ballet boutique who's currently performing in Swan Lake. She was even sporting the most gorgeous tulle she had had custom-made at this amazing Parisian shop in the area - she explained it's the best place in Ile-de-France! Talk about living the dream!
- A Cultural Journey through Dance: After the shop, I explored the city. Poissy itself is an interesting and lovely city - beautiful parks with winding cobbled streets that give off this historic charm. It's got an iconic architecture and I actually walked through the heart of Poissy to get to the ballet boutique, the church there is absolutely gorgeous. There is also the Poissy Royal Museum (they have a fantastic history of this city). Even though it’s a beautiful, old city with great historical sights, I think it’s fair to say that the tutu shopping experience in Poissy, Ile-de-France stole the show for me!
- Beyond the Boutique: Of course, no Tutu Tuesday post would be complete without me recommending a few extra treats for you lovely ballet bunnies. If you’re heading out there, pop into Le Petit Jardin café just a few blocks from the boutique for an authentic Parisian pastry. I picked myself up a pain au chocolat to enjoy. They’ve also got some great cakes, too!
If you're looking for a fantastic city to explore that also happens to have some truly amazing ballet shops and the best bakeries ever - head to Poissy! It’s definitely my top pick for all your ballet-loving dreams, it’s just pure bliss for us ballet dancers! I can't wait to go back and find the next amazing tutu for my collection!
But before I run off to practice, remember, you can rock your Tutu Tuesday anywhere and it’s time to dance with confidence! #tututuesday!