Tutu Tuesday in Loughborough: A Whirlwind of Twirls and Tiaras
Alright, darlings! Itâs your girl, Olivia, back with another blog post. Today weâre taking a trip to Loughborough, the home of⊠well, lots of things, including my dear friend Lily and her stunning new tutu shop, "Twirls & Tiaras." Lily, bless her heart, just knew I was going to go nuts over her selection, so she insisted I join her for her official launch, and I'm SO glad I did. Weâre going to explore the different tutu styles that blew my mind (and weâre going to see if we can convince Lily to make a special one for my next competition). #tututuesday
Now, Iâve got to tell you, Loughborough itself has a certain charming feel to it. I was expecting something⊠well, more âstudent-yâ â maybe with less charm and more fast-food joints â but the place had some real personality, like a cute little old friend who always knows how to make you smile. But I digress⊠today is all about tutus!
Let's dive right in! Lilyâs shop, "Twirls & Tiaras," is the kind of place you enter and just feel like a princess. Itâs bright, it's airy, and itâs packed to the brim with glorious tulle and sequins. It has the unmistakable scent of new fabric and glitter, a blend that somehow magically inspires an immediate twirl. Lily really knows how to set a mood. And I don't even want to *mention* how much fun we had picking out my favorite shades for the ultimate photoshoot (the âTwirls & Tiarasâ backdrop looked *amazing*).
Now, for the main attraction - those fabulous tutus! Lilyâs collection has everything for every dancer, whether youâre a seasoned professional like myself or a tiny budding ballerina. We talked for hours, comparing styles, and discussing all the important things â like how that little bit of extra sparkle *always* helps to draw the eye. The Stars of the Show: Tutu Styles That Stepped Right Out of a Dream
Letâs talk about the types of tutus you can expect at "Twirls & Tiaras" in Loughborough.
**Classic Romantic Tutu:** For those grand entrances that leave you feeling like the ballerina at the heart of the production, Lily has these gorgeous romantic tutus, built with layers and layers of delicate tulle and shimmering fabric that gently billows out as you move. Just think sweeping arabesques and stunning pirouettes. Lily also has some romantic tutu styles that are adorned with dainty hand-stitched pearl embellishments, which are perfect for those of us who love that extra bit of glamour. I swear I could practically *hear* Tchaikovsky while I was browsing these beautiful, graceful masterpieces!
**Contemporary Dance Tutu:** You know me, I'm all about pushing those creative boundaries, and Lily's collection has just the thing for the modern dancer. Her contemporary tutus offer a unique combination of clean lines, comfortable silhouettes and that âjust rightâ hint of playful detail, perfect for expressing that unique artistic flow that keeps you moving with purpose. And for my contemporary sisters, you know we love a touch of edginess!
**And of course... Ballet Class Tutu:** I know weâve all been there - a girl needs her classic, dependable ballet class tutu. And at "Twirls & Tiaras" Lily really caters to that basic need. These tutus come in a range of colors, each one perfectly crafted for those hours and hours of barre work and centre practice (a girlâs got to have something comfortable, right?!).
But let me tell you, there are more types than just those basic styles. We even discussed special custom designs for upcoming competitions, and even something truly extravagant â something fit for the stage in a âSwan Lakeâ or âNutcrackerâ production (oh, to have that kind of creative freedom!)
Lily has her fingers on the pulse of what every dancer wants. We explored all the options together, talked about what would look the most amazing on stage (trust me, I gave my opinion, loudly and proudly!), and of course, I had to ask her if sheâd be interested in crafting something truly special just for me â sheâs definitely my new go-to for all things ballet! Tutu Tuesday: A Night of Laughter, Dance and Inspiration
So, after we spent a few glorious hours admiring (and buying! It wouldn't be Tutu Tuesday without some retail therapy), we did what every passionate dancer and fashionista does: we put on our most fabulous tutus and snapped some shots. It was all a whirlwind of laughs, impromptu twirls, and the joyful freedom that only a stunning tulle creation can give. You know, the feeling where your mind clears and the only thing left is the magic of movement, pure joy and self-expression â yeah, that feeling.
And while Lily worked on making those incredible âTwirls & Tiarasâ photos a reality, I chatted with the other dancers who'd come to check out the launch. There were beginners, veterans, seasoned performers and students just starting their journey. It was so inspiring! The thing that stood out to me? Every single woman there, no matter what their level of expertise, shared this one incredible common thread â passion! We talked about technique, our favorite pieces of ballet, our dreams and, of course, all the crazy stories we had to share from the world of ballet.
And wouldnât you know, Lily ended up creating a really incredible "Tutu Tuesday" ambiance! Sheâd had this idea to make it like a proper celebration â there was champagne (the good stuff!), delicious cupcakes, and everyone even got to try their luck in the âSpin the Wheelâ competition for tutu discounts! And let me tell you, those tutus were gone before you could blink! It just goes to show, a good tutu is like gold, girls! (Just don't ask me how many of the twirly ones made it into *my* collectionâŠ)
**So, the message for you, my fellow ballet dancers? Go find your own âTwirls & Tiaras.â And maybe while youâre at it, check out the quaint, friendly vibe that Loughborough offers, even if you donât want a tutu (though honestly⊠youâd be missing out!). Itâs a reminder that finding your own passion is as important as perfecting your pliĂ©. Letâs make it a month of Tutues â we're going to see tutus in every town in the country, and weâll get those perfect shots for Instagram every Tuesday. I can already picture those #tututuesday trends going viral!
Oh, and to Lily â congrats, girl! The success of "Twirls & Tiaras" was something beautiful to witness. This launch proved thereâs a lot more to your vision than just ballet, it was a whole *atmosphere*. I'm excited to see what youâll do next, and you know Iâm first in line for that custom-made tutu for the next competition, right?
Until next time, my dear readers. Keep those tutus spinning! Love, Olivia
**#tututuesday**
P.S: If you're reading this, be sure to check out the latest posts on Oliviaâs dance blog for a closer look at the photoshoot she had at "Twirls & Tiaras" with Lily, and make sure to leave a comment with your favourite Tutu style or how you styled your Tutu this #tututuesday!