Tutu Tuesday in Saint-Ignace-de-Loyola, Quebec: A Whirlwind of Dance and Fashion
Hey fellow dance lovers! It’s your girl, Chloe here, bringing you another edition of my weekly fashion fix – Tutu Tuesday. Today, I’m taking you to the charming town of Saint-Ignace-de-Loyola, nestled in the beautiful Laurentians region of Quebec, where dance and fashion collide.
I know what you’re thinking – what could a small town like Saint-Ignace-de-Loyola possibly have to do with ballet and fashion? Well, let me tell you, it's got more than you'd expect. My cousin Marie, a rising star in the Canadian ballet scene, is currently spending her summer there with her family. She took me for a spin through the picturesque town and, let’s just say, our afternoon was a total fashion fiesta!
Our first stop was at the local library, a charming old building that houses a collection of classic children's books, perfect for a rainy day. Marie's got an amazing collection of tutus that she likes to dress up in whenever we get a chance to meet. Today, she was sporting a bright pink tulle tutu – like a cloud of sweetness, it gave off serious 'en pointe' vibes! She looked utterly adorable. She was on a mission to read a few stories about dancing princes and princesses before she’d get back to practicing at her local studio. We were lucky to be in town for the “Les étoiles” ballet competition - an event held in August that is attracting young ballerinas from all over the province. This is the one time the whole community really comes together for dance and to watch the next generation of ballerinas.
#TutuTuesday is all about fashion, but let’s get real – dance and style are a perfect match, especially when we’re talking about ballerinas. My aunt Jeannette (who taught Marie how to tie her shoelaces back when she was little!) showed me an amazing website showcasing custom tutus, which was seriously impressive! These designers are totally pushing the boundaries of the classic tutu, crafting masterpieces using textures and fabrics that we would never imagine! They're bringing their unique perspectives to a timeless piece of dance history, and it’s awesome! My absolute favourite? The "En Pointe" line, made of upcycled ballet shoes with their unique vintage lace trim.
Saint-Ignace-de-Loyola is one of those little gems in the Laurentian landscape where creativity blossoms, and for a ballerina like Marie, a little taste of fashionista living.
So next time you’re planning a trip to Quebec, I encourage you to pop into Saint-Ignace-de-Loyola – I promise you’ll be charmed by its unique character, friendly faces and a splash of fashionista flair!
And don’t forget to show your love for all things tutus – share your Tutu Tuesday pics using #Tutuesday – because we love seeing your dance fashion inspiration!