Tutu Tuesday in Cognin, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France #tututuesday
G'day lovelies! It's your girl, Mia, from down under, back with another installment of my #tututuesday adventures. This week, I've traded in the sunshine of Sydney for the charming streets of Cognin, a little town in the beautiful region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France. And trust me, I'm loving every minute of it!
France has a rich history with ballet, right? It's basically the birthplace of this gorgeous art form. From the classic Romantic tutu with its billowing layers to the sleek contemporary styles, the ballet scene here is alive and kicking. You can see it everywhere! There's something special about the air here, it feels like tutus are just a part of everyday life.
Now, I'm not a seasoned French ballet dancer, but I have been dipping my toes (or should I say pointe shoes?) into the local scene. Yesterday, I popped into a little ballet studio called L'École de Danse. It's super cute, tucked away on a quiet street, and it felt like stepping back in time. There's a certain charm about old-school dance studios that you can't find anywhere else.
The class I joined was mostly filled with younger dancers, all working on their plies, tendus and grand jetés. Watching these young ones work was seriously inspiring. You could see the passion in their eyes. Honestly, it made me want to throw on my tutu and join them!
Speaking of tutus, you just can't get enough of these iconic pieces of dancewear, can you? And Cognin certainly delivered! It felt like every shop window was showcasing a tutu of some kind! There were some classic romantic-style tutus, like those you see in Sleeping Beauty, you know the kind with lots of layers of tulle. There were some more contemporary styles, which are kind of sleek and streamlined with a whole lot less tulle.
The best part of being in France, for me, is getting the chance to explore this country's cultural offerings. So, today, I decided to get into a little #tututuesday spirit and wear my ballet shoes and my fave black velvet tutu out for a day of exploring the historic centre of Cognin.
My tip for rocking a tutu outside the dance studio is to embrace the whimsical! Combine your tutu with an everyday t-shirt, a cool bomber jacket and cute ankle boots for an effortless but chic vibe. A little black beret wouldn’t hurt, right? I topped it all off with some funky statement earrings and red lipstick, to give it that extra bit of drama.
I hit the streets, strutting my stuff, feeling like a Parisian ballet star on a lunch break. Cognin has some beautiful cobbled streets with buildings full of historical charm and some amazing little cafes tucked away in corners. My trusty iPhone became a camera and I had a photoshoot in some of the most picturesque alleyways the city had to offer. The local boulanger even gave me a wink!
There's nothing quite like exploring a city through the lens of fashion, and when you combine it with a love of dance? You’re living your best life! I had an absolute blast in Cognin, and I'm already planning my next #tututuesday adventure. Who knows where it'll take me next?
Stay tuned!
Here’s what my #tututuesday looked like * My favourite black velvet tutu with its perfectly flowy tulle * A classic black t-shirt, just to keep it casual and chic * My trusty ankle boots * A vintage bomber jacket - adds a bit of edge * Statement earrings * My trusty iPhoneNow, I gotta run. But remember: no matter where you are, whether it's Sydney, Cognin or anywhere in between, never shy away from your inner ballet dancer. Embrace your #tututuesday!
Ciao for now.