Tutu Tuesday in Malahide, Ontario: A Whirlwind of Tutus & Canadian Ballet
Hey everyone, it's your favourite ballerina and style enthusiast back at it again! It's #TutuTuesday and what better way to celebrate the grace and artistry of ballet than with a peek into the magical world of tutus? This week, I found myself taking a trip to Malahide, Ontario, a quaint little town brimming with charm and a love for all things elegant. I was immediately drawn to the delightful ballet studio tucked away on a tree-lined street, it was almost like it was straight out of a movie set, all that was missing was the prince and a fairy godmother. It was the perfect backdrop for some #Tututuesday shenanigans. I know what you're thinking, "A ballerina and a ballet studio, what's the big deal?" Trust me, this was anything but your ordinary studio. From the moment I stepped into the dance hall I was greeted by an ethereal aura. The mirrored walls seemed to reflect my every movement, almost a preview of my life as a ballerina - or was it just me? But as I gazed across the room at the selection of tutus – what an array – I couldn't help but let out an audible "Wow!" It's safe to say the studio didn't hold back on tutu styles, folks. I'm talking everything from the classic Romantic tutus, with their layers and layers of delicate tulle – I literally counted at least six – making them perfect for swirling and leaping, to the whimsical pixie tutus – shorter with a little bit of pixie dust on the bodice – a whimsical ballerina dream come true, you know? There were even some modern, contemporary pieces with asymmetrical cuts and vibrant colours – I couldn’t resist twirling a little myself in the room, to be honest! The variety was astounding and the quality, I swear it shimmered with the grace and dedication of the dancers who had come before. As I chatted with the studio's owner, she shared her passion for ballet and her desire to inspire a new generation of Canadian dancers. Her story is an important one, I can only hope more young ballerinas and ballet enthusiasts can hear it - the love of dance needs to be kept alive, and I think this studio, with all the gorgeous tutus is a great place to start!
And hey, you don't need to be a dancer to appreciate the beauty of a tutu. In fact, the great thing about tutus, is that they have evolved far beyond the confines of the ballet studio, you can see them on the streets and runways everywhere. So whether you're a seasoned ballerina or a fashionista on a tutu quest, you are bound to find one you can get lost in – I know I have my eye on a little, sparkly, pink tutu in my mind.
Here's my round-up of the best tutu moments in Malahide:
- **The Classic Romantic Tutu:** This timeless piece is all about elegance and grace, like the stars of classic ballet! With its layers and layers of soft, tulle, you are truly going to want to move in these, and that's exactly how these pieces were intended to be worn. A ballerina's best friend - even I find myself wanting one!
- **The Whimsical Pixie Tutu:** It's like a tutu's younger, cuter sibling! A lot of twirls in the skirt, less tulle but not by much - that fairy dust look is almost effortless and oh so elegant. You could twirl all night in one of these.
- **The Contemporary Tutu:** Think of it as a rebellious sister! You won't see yards of tulle here. No - the contemporary tutu breaks from the classics with asymmetrical styles and bolder colours. These tutus were not for the shy; they are made for showing your personality through dance. The owner mentioned one time they put on a special performance, where every dancer designed their own! Now that is something special, don’t you think?
- **The tutu on the street**: In the mood for some shopping? Head over to Malahide, this place truly does love tutus! We can all bring a little of this ballerina chic to our daily look! You can pair them with tights, denim shorts, a simple T-shirt. What’s not to love?! Even I like to play around with the concept while I am out exploring - maybe just a tutu-inspired outfit for my daily outings. I’m even thinking about creating a blog series about this, what do you think?
Malahide really is the perfect little town for ballet, fashion, and even #Tututuesday, and I definitely encourage all of you to check it out and let me know which tutu style is your favorite. Don't forget to share your own tutu adventures on social media, using the hashtag #tututuesday – tag me in the photos and maybe we can feature it on the blog!