Tutu Tuesday in Saint-Agrève, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France: A Tutu Tale for the Ages! #tututuesday
Bonjour mes amis! This Aussie ballerina is kicking off her Tutu Tuesday right here in the charming town of Saint-Agrève, nestled in the stunning Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. I'm currently touring with a French ballet company and let me tell you, there's a reason why France is known as the home of some of the world's most stunning ballet, I'm seeing tutus and techniques that will have you spinning around the dance floor in a whirlwind of sheer joy!
Saint-Agrève itself is a real treat. The town, with its cobblestone streets and historic buildings, just oozes character and has a real sense of community that I absolutely love. The local ballet studio, l’École de Danse de Saint-Agrève is bursting with talent. There's something very special happening in this little town! I had a chat with the lovely Marie-Claude, the director, and she shared some of her insights about local ballet. Apparently, ballet in France is something they take very seriously, with a long and illustrious history. She told me all about how some of the world's most renowned ballerinas, like Brigitte Lefèvre and Sylvie Guillem, all studied here and honed their skills at these French ballet schools. I couldn’t believe my ears - such incredible talent born here!
To make my visit even more special, I was lucky enough to have a one-on-one tutu fitting at Atelier Des Tutus in nearby Grenoble. This place is an absolute treasure trove of tutu styles - I was spoilt for choice. We even got talking about different tutu types. Marie-Claude told me the most common tutu styles you’ll find in France include the *tutu romantique* which is the traditional soft tulle layered to create a floating effect; then there’s the *tutu plat*, which is flat, more geometric and typically made of layers of hard tulle to make those iconic ‘ballerina skirt’ shapes and finally, the *tutu panier* which is a massive, wide hoop-skirted type tutu that adds so much volume and grandeur, a real wow factor on stage. It was almost overwhelming, all those tutus!
But as I wandered through the streets of Saint-Agrève after my tutu fitting, I found myself inspired to try out some #tututuesday street fashion! The French are known for their effortless style, so I wanted to see if I could combine their Parisian flair with the magic of the tutu. The #tututuesday challenge is a great way to share the joy and fun of ballet with the wider world! For a casual but chic look, I teamed my pastel pink *tutu plat* with a simple black tank top and classic white sneakers. It felt light and airy and totally suited this relaxed, laid-back atmosphere in Saint-Agrève.
My biggest lesson of the day though was the impact of a good tulle outfit - you feel amazing! And, it's so much more than just a dress, it's a symbol of hard work, creativity, and a lifelong passion for dance. And here in Saint-Agrève, France, there's a genuine love and appreciation for the artistry of dance and a unique flair for combining it with the very latest trends. I reckon I'll be making a return visit real soon!
Au revoir, from the Land of Tutus,
Olivia #tututuesday