Hello my lovelies! Emma here, your resident pink tutu-wearing time traveller, and oh my, have I got a story for you! This month, we’re waltzing our way back to 2nd February 1823, a day that would make even the most jaded fashionista swoon. And guess who I got to meet? The queen herself, Queen Marie Louise of France!
I popped on my trusty pink tutu, the one with the delicate lace edging (I've been saving it for a special occasion), and mounted my shimmering steed, Magic Meg. The pink sparkle on her coat glistened as we galloped through the time vortex, landing right in the heart of Vienna. Now, Vienna, my dears, was the very epicentre of fashion and elegance in the 19th century, and let me tell you, this day was no exception!
We arrived just in time to see a glittering soirée at the royal court, and my, the outfits! You know how I love a touch of whimsy, and let me tell you, those gowns! Layers upon layers of luxurious silk, intricate embroidery, and such delightful colours! They were quite frankly, absolutely stunning. I couldn’t resist getting my sketching pad out, capturing every ruffle, bow, and feather boa I could.
And then, it happened. The music swelled, a grand waltz began, and in she glided, Queen Marie Louise herself. She was regal, graceful, and absolutely radiant. Imagine, darling, my absolute delight when I noticed a beautiful pink satin sash cinched around her waist. A touch of my beloved pink, on the queen herself! I could hardly contain my excitement!
Of course, I couldn't miss this opportunity, so I sashayed right into the heart of the festivities. The Queen, who was an ardent admirer of ballet, stopped and admired my delicate tutu. I gave her a curtsy and she smiled warmly.
"What a lovely costume!" She exclaimed, her voice soft as velvet. "Does your performance feature any dances from Vienna?"
And wouldn’t you know it, dear readers, she was intrigued by my story of time travel and my mission to bring a touch of pink to the world. The Queen even requested I perform a special piece for her later that evening, accompanied by her court's orchestra.
Can you imagine? Me, dancing for royalty! But don't worry, I didn’t feel out of place. It was like stepping onto a stage that felt so natural, so alive with beauty and grace. After all, my darling, dancing is like speaking a universal language that transcends time and space. The audience gasped with delight and applauded me long after I finished my little routine.
But it wasn't just the royal event that stole my heart that day, though the Queen’s kindness was certainly a highlight. No, my lovelies, Vienna on this very day offered a rich tapestry of ballet and its beauty.
This being a Thursday, at the Vienna State Opera that night, the highlight was a special ballet, The Dancing Doll. You may have heard of it, as it’s a rather iconic piece featuring choreography from the esteemed Carlo Blasis, a maestro in the world of ballet at that time. I had read about the work back in my time and, naturally, had to catch it. It was so fascinating to see this ballet performed on the very same stage that witnessed the start of so many dancing careers! I even met a delightful group of aspiring dancers after the performance, all aglow with dreams of gracing the grand stages of the world. I even let them touch Magic Meg, much to her polite but stoic chagrin!
This visit has been a true testament to the everlasting magic of ballet. To see the sheer passion for it, not just in the theatres but in the lives of ordinary people, it just makes my heart sing.
And of course, no journey is complete without a little bit of shopping. This time I found the most darling little hat shop. You know me, I simply can't resist a hat! I purchased a silk flower hat with the most beautiful coral flowers, perfect for a day at the opera, or even a grand soirée of my own. I can’t wait to show you all the snaps!
Now, I can’t go into detail about all my ballet-inspired treasures found in my latest raid on Vienna. After all, that is all top secret information I’m adding to my collection for the Pink Tutu Museum (you can come and visit, it’s still in my mind but one day, we’ll build it!) However, the sheer abundance of vintage dancing shoes, gloves, and the most glorious pink feathered boas I found! They will be the stars of a special Pink Tutu-themed show, once I have cleaned them all. You don’t even want to know how much cobwebs I have collected from Vienna, but fear not, I will share a ‘how to clean and store vintage items’ blog later!
Until next month, keep on dancing and dreaming in your pinkest tutus, my dears. I'll be back soon with more exciting tales from the realms of ballet history!
Don't forget to visit the Pink Tutu website (www.pink-tutu.com) for more exciting stories, behind the scenes snaps, and of course, our wonderful community forum for all you ballet enthusiasts out there!
With love and pink twirls,
Emma xxx
