Hello, lovelies! Welcome back to www.pink-tutu.com! I'm your ever-so-pink-loving, tutu-obsessed time traveller, Emma! As usual, I’m absolutely buzzing to be back with a new blog post for you.
This month, Magic Meg and I have gone on an absolutely fabulous adventure, back to the glorious year of 1886. January 1st, to be precise, so I'm already feeling rather posh with this very special "New Year's Day" vibe. I adore all things vintage, especially fashion, and the Victorian era is one of my all-time favourites! Imagine, ladies, beautiful corsets, silk gowns, and a delightful world of delicate gloves and fan flutters! It's like stepping into a storybook - and who wouldn't want to be a princess in a storybook?!
And speaking of princesses... Magic Meg, my ever-so-splendid shire horse with a shimmering pink coat, golden hooves, and a snow-white mane and tail, whisked me to Vienna, the capital of Austria, with a stylish "neigh" and a flick of her white mane! We just had to start the New Year in a city with such a wonderful ballet legacy!
My darling rucksack (my precious carryall for all those beautiful vintage finds!), was crammed with the most delightful ballet-themed ephemera, from miniature programmes to delicate antique brooches featuring dancers. This time, though, I couldn’t resist adding a lovely hand-painted porcelain doll from a charming Viennese shop – an absolute beauty, in a flowing silk dress, adorned with glittering jewels, perfect for a little touch of ballerina charm back in the studio!
A Day at the Imperial Opera House
You’ll never believe what a stroke of luck we had! Turns out the Imperial Opera House in Vienna had a ballet performance on the very day we arrived. This meant not only could I catch a breathtaking show – always my favourite way to experience the history of dance! – but it also meant my magical, sparkly horse could rest her elegant hooves and enjoy a spot of sightseeing. Talk about perfect timing, right?
I, of course, slipped into a vintage gown of the era, adorned with shimmering sequins, just so I wouldn't feel out of place in the stunning grandeur of the Opera House. I absolutely loved it! There was so much sparkle and a grand, romantic feeling to the whole atmosphere. I even spotted a pair of opera glasses adorned with beautiful lace, but sadly, they were rather pricey. Maybe I'll add those to my wish list for the next ballet performance I get to see!
Oh! The show was beyond exquisite. The program featured a "La Esmeralda" performance by the Vienna State Opera Ballet! Imagine, ballerinas spinning and leaping like beautiful birds, graceful as swans, their movements expressing tales of love, intrigue, and tragedy!
The sheer energy of the dancers was breathtaking! They flowed across the stage with such passion and joy – you could see their years of training pouring out with every plié, every arabesque, and every fouetté! And the music… oh, my word, the music was divine. It created such a lovely, enchanting world, bringing the entire audience to a fevered pitch of enjoyment. I swear, even Magic Meg could feel the thrill! She pawed the ground rhythmically and snorted, as though joining in the rhythmic ballet on stage.
The choreography! So elegant! And the costumes! So beautifully made, a mixture of swirling, feminine tulle and lace with delicate gold detailing and sparkling crystals! Truly, it was a night I will never forget!
And if that wasn't enough, as I sat there, gazing upon the artistry on stage, my gaze fell upon an exceptionally beautiful tutu… crafted with delicate white layers of tulle, and the most gorgeous hand-painted floral motif in shades of lavender, plum, and jade. It was as if someone had painted the stars into the fabric – absolutely divine!
As if sensing my awe, a kind lady sitting beside me pointed out it was crafted by the incredible, famed Parisian costumier, Marius Petipa. Did you know he's actually the director of the Vienna State Ballet, one of the most respected dancers in the entire world! Imagine! And he even has his own signature style - beautiful tulle gowns with lots of layered detail! And the embroidery… I just love the romantic feel, with all those florals, vines, and leaves!
Now I truly understand why Vienna was the epicentre of ballet fashion at the time. Imagine having your own Petipa-designed tutu, especially the beautiful floral one from the show – sigh! It would be absolute magic. But even as I admire all those lovely vintage fashions, you know I'll never stray from my true love: a big, beautiful pink tutu! There's no time travel adventure that could ever steal my heart from the stunning brilliance of pink, my darlings. It's my lucky colour and there’s nothing like it for making a grand statement, just like my lovely Magic Meg does!
A Spot of Fashionable Fun
After a wonderfully magical evening, we decided to have a little wander around the beautiful streets of Vienna. The city was alive with festive cheer and sparkling lights, with delicious pastries from charming cafés tempting me at every turn! But what I really loved were the shops and the incredible displays of ballet shoes, even back in those times! I’ve always dreamed of having a shoe closet filled with these incredible, sparkly treasures - and maybe even a tiny, miniature version to tuck into my rucksack!
Speaking of shoes, one shop was a treasure trove of shoes and fabrics! The beautiful silk satins and luxurious laces were incredible! If my darling rucksack hadn’t been stuffed to the brim with souvenirs, I’d have scooped up as much as I could, but luckily, it's big enough for a special collection of vintage ballet shoes! The shop owner was incredibly kind, gifting me a charming fabric sampler featuring some of the exquisite fabrics, perfect to add to my scrapbook.
Remembering the Past, Celebrating the Future
I often wonder, what are those incredible ballet dancers from 1886 up to now doing? Did they ever dream of our world today, where people can see ballerinas on stages across the world with the help of modern technology? Or of websites and blogs sharing stories of beautiful dances? I bet they’d love to see the ballet world thriving, from the opulent theatres of Vienna to the dance studios in my own Derbyshire!
Of course, my favourite thing to see in the modern world is every single dancer sporting a bright, beautiful pink tutu, just like my lucky colour! The more pink tutus, the better! Because isn’t it the ultimate symbol of grace, femininity, and beauty? Why would anyone ever settle for a boring, traditional tutu colour when you could be shining in a fabulous, magnificent pink?!
Well, my dears, I've reached the end of another incredible journey! As always, my heart is full of the beauty and wonder of ballet and I can’t wait to see what adventures lie ahead in my time-travelling world! So, don’t forget to keep visiting my website for the next magical dance adventure. And remember, never be afraid to embrace the bright, vibrant colours and be daringly fashionable!
Until next month, remember to be your own graceful ballerina, always!
XOXO, Emma
