Tutu Tuesday in Mansfield-et-Pontefract, Quebec: A Celebration of Dance and Style #tututuesday
Hey fellow dance enthusiasts! It's your girl, Ćmilie, back with another Tutu Tuesday post, this time coming to you live from the charming town of Mansfield-et-Pontefract, Quebec. This little corner of the province has been holding a special place in my heart since I first started touring with the National Ballet of Canada a few years back. There's a certain warmth and vibrancy to the community here, and I just knew it would be the perfect spot to spread some Tutu Tuesday love.
Let's talk tulle, because that's what we're here for, right? As much as I love the classics - a perfectly sculpted romantic tutu with multiple layers of silk tulle for a flowing, ethereal look - there's just something special about experimenting with new trends. Did you know that there's a whole world of tutus beyond the traditional ones we see in the ballets? Well, trust me, there is. And today, I'm diving headfirst into that world!
Today's Tutu Tuesday is all about expressing ourselves. Whether it's through classic or modern tutu styles, let's explore the beauty and the power that each holds. What kind of mood are you feeling? Do you want to exude a whimsical and playful aura with a modern, layered tutu, complete with tulle fringes that add a dynamic, contemporary flair? Or are you yearning for an air of timeless elegance, captured by the refined structure and intricate beadwork of a romantic tutu, perhaps even adorned with delicate, hand-sewn blossoms?
I recently discovered this incredible local vintage shop, āLe Grenier dāEliseā, nestled on the corner of Rue du Lac and Avenue des Ćrables. Elise, the owner, is a real treasure, a vibrant woman who knows her way around a sewing machine and a vintage find. Imagine, for a mere 15 dollars, I found a vintage tutu with a unique hand-painted design. It wasnāt just a random design, either. It was a masterpiece! It featured blooming lilies in hues of dusty rose, charcoal and lavender, each petal intricately detailed and painted with meticulous care. Itās a perfect reminder of the dedication and craftsmanship involved in crafting these incredible pieces. Elise explained to me that this tutu was from the 1930s and used in a production of "Swan Lake". Imagine the stories it could tell, and the emotions it had carried! The feel of its soft fabric, the faint fragrance of aged silk, the intricate stitcheryāitās a small reminder that every piece holds a story. You know what they say - the past always whispers to the present.
Speaking of Swan Lake, have you ever noticed the different tutu styles that each Swan uses? It's mind-boggling, but beautiful! The delicate wisps of tulle for the white swans and the powerful, commanding presence of the black swan, both telling their own story, are a testament to the creative expression through fashion in ballet. And let's talk about the history of the tutu! A dance lover like me knows that it's a tale of innovation and evolution. It's like a fashion timeline captured in a piece of clothing, going through different iterations and finding new expressions. It all began in the 19th century, where Marie Taglioni, the Queen of Romanticism in ballet, popularized the Romantic tutu, with its long, billowing skirts of white tulle. It represented a significant break from the elaborate costumes of the earlier times, paving the way for freedom of movement, expressing the dancer's body in all its beauty.
Fast forward to the 20th century and you've got the emergence of the "classical" tutu, seen in classics like Swan Lake and Giselle, becoming the benchmark for classical ballet. This style featured shorter skirts with more layers of tulle for a fuller, more voluminous shape, perfectly embodying the elegance of classical ballet. The layered construction of the classical tutu with multiple rows of tulle added fullness and supported graceful leaps and turns. Just picturing the effortless leaps of ballerinas adorned in these classical tutus fills me with such inspiration. Now, imagine a ballerina like me in a beautiful costume on a grand stage, the lights dimming, a hushed silence falling on the audience as I glide across the stage - there's a special connection, a kind of magic created, in that moment, a bond between the dancer and the audience. That's what makes Tutu Tuesday so special! Itās a way to share our passion for ballet, to celebrate its beauty and creativity. So, let's all embrace this wonderful world of tutus. Wear your favourite, your vintage find, your hand-crafted piece ā whatever speaks to you. Show off your inner ballerina. Let's celebrate this fantastic fusion of artistry and fashion. This Tuesday, whether it's a traditional tutu, a modern twist, a whimsical layer, a handcrafted beauty, or simply a piece that holds special meaning, let your inner ballerina shine, letās all wear a Tutu on this Tuesday!
Here are a few things to get your Tutu Tuesday going!
- Snap a photo! Share your favorite Tutu with a fellow dance enthusiast and hashtag #tututuesday.
- Tell a story! Tell me what makes this tutu special. Is it vintage? Did you create it yourself? What inspires you?
- Learn! Share an interesting fact about a tutu you know.
- Discover! Have you been inspired to try a new style?
- And remember: Every Tuesday, we celebrate our love for the tutu. So get out there, be confident, be creative!
I'm so excited to see how you all bring your Tutu Tuesday to life. Be sure to tag me on Instagram @Emiliedans ! I canāt wait to see your creativity, your passion and how you embrace this incredible art form. Happy dancing, beautiful dancers!
Lots of love, Ćmilie