#PinkTutuPrague Ballet in Prague 1999-03-03

Hello my gorgeous girly-girls! This week, it’s all about Prague, the beautiful city of bridges, fairytale architecture and - of course! - magical, must-see ballet! I landed here last Tuesday after a scenic train ride from Vienna. (Let me tell you, nothing beats gazing out the window at the gorgeous Austrian countryside while enjoying a glass of something pink and bubbly!) Prague is already one of my favourite cities; so charming, full of cobblestone streets and friendly faces. Oh, and let’s not forget the pink! Prague really embraces pink, from the blushing hues of the sunsets to the playful pops of color on all the adorable shops and cafes. I swear, I even saw a pair of pink horses pulling a carriage! (Although, I suspect those horses were probably just very excited to be wearing their sparkly, new pink saddles, which I totally thought would be the perfect look for my upcoming show.)

As soon as I settled into my quaint little hotel room, a haven of ruffled pink pillows and shimmering pink fairy lights (naturally!), I knew it was time for my beloved evening ballet class! Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Ballet class, in Prague? How fancy!” Well, darling, you’d be surprised! Prague’s dance scene is absolutely thriving, with a plethora of studios tucked away in beautiful, historic buildings. I discovered a gem called ‘The Swan Lake Studio’, housed in an 18th-century building with original wooden floors – pure magic! The class itself was fantastic, with a fantastic instructor who was both patient and inspiring, making my tutu-wearing heart skip a beat!

But before I get carried away, let’s get to the heart of this post, the main attraction! Wednesday, the 3rd of March – a date forever etched in my memory - was the night for the PinkTutuPrague performance. A beautiful night in the theatre, with all of Prague’s glamour gathered under the chandelier-lit ceiling of the National Theatre. It was pure enchantment!

From the moment the curtain rose, my breath was stolen! The first act had such a vibrant energy, reminding me of all those glorious days back in Derbyshire when I would watch the villagers twirl on the green, each pirouette radiating pure joy. It brought tears to my eyes, thinking about how far I've come!

But let's not forget the costumes. Darling, I absolutely cannot tell you about this show without giving a special mention to the outfits! We were sporting gorgeous pink tutus with cascading pink ostrich feathers – imagine dancing swans bathed in pink! It was absolutely heavenly. Our director, who I absolutely adore - and whom I have to thank for bringing this wonderful show to life - took so much care to create the most incredible costume designs, ensuring they captured the essence of the pink, ballet-loving princess that dwells in each of us!

Now, I must confess, as much as I love the world of ballet, I’m a total shopaholic! A girly-girl needs her pink-tastic wardrobe to express herself! This weekend was full of adorable little shops and fashion houses. And of course, my eyes fell upon the most magnificent display of pink velvet! You can’t possibly know how much pink velvet makes me swoon - imagine it against a pink tutu! Well, I just had to add it to my wardrobe, even if my luggage was already overflowing with fabulous pink goodies!

After shopping myself into a delightful stupor, I couldn't resist treating myself to the ultimate luxury: a delightful, pink-hued cupcake at a sweet shop called 'Pink Pastry Paradise'. (Seriously, could there be a better name?) It was divine. The icing was a dreamy, pink meringue with hints of raspberry, and the cake itself was a perfect sponge, so light and fluffy. (Just like a ballerina!) As I ate, I could hear a band playing waltz music from the park across the street, which added to the magical charm of Prague.

There’s something absolutely enchanting about this city, its romantic atmosphere makes you feel like you’re walking through a fairy tale. And to think that only last week, I was just a pink tutu-clad ballerina, dancing to my own tune in Derbyshire, now here I am, living the fairytale of Prague, the pink, glamorous princess I was destined to be!

Until next week, my sweet darlings, keep your pink tutus at the ready!

With love and sparkles, Emma

PS: I can't wait to hear from you all! Tell me what your favourite ballet shows are and your thoughts on the magical city of Prague. Did you spot any pink? Send me your photos and stories using #PinkTutuPrague. You can even find me on social media: follow me on Instagram @PinkTutuEmma and find my Facebook page, 'Pink Tutu Adventures.'

Okay, ladies, I know you're dying to hear more about these magical pieces of pink fashion - the TUTU! Let's talk history, darling, because nothing quite sparkles quite like a good ballet history fact!

You know how we’ve come a long way since those very early days, where ballerinas weren’t quite rocking the ‘Pink Tutu’ aesthetic, but more of a very-much-too-long, uncomfortable chemise a la polonaise - basically a baggy gown with a lot of fabric and zero movement!

Oh, and can you even imagine doing a pirouette with that? (Seriously, no ballerina wants to look like a crumpled meringue, and no-one is going to give us applause for that. Eek!.)

But, my darlings, what happened next? That revolutionary leap of style came about in 1839 when the dancer Maria Taglioni graced the stage wearing something groundbreaking: la tulle. It was so soft, flowing, light – like an ethereal dream in white. It moved and danced as easily as a flower, capturing the very essence of ballet and making those ‘chemises' look just well, so last season.

La tulle became synonymous with the ballet look - it’s the heart of everything about ballet style, it’s why ballerinas seem to float - a dreamy lightness and beauty of motion, of airiness. It wasn’t just about practical functionality (imagine trying to do a double pirouette in those earlier dresses! It's practically impossible!), but about beauty too. (I mean, we can't ignore our tutus. Those romantic swirls of chiffon are divine!) La tulle ushered in a new era for ballet: one of freedom of movement, where dancers soared across the stage, twirling and pirouetteing, leaving audiences breathless, and mesmerised with a kind of magic I want everyone to experience!

But what about the pink?! I must admit, the very first tutus weren’t necessarily pink, but they certainly became popular around the Romantic era - imagine soft, blush-toned tutus (not quite Barbie pink) , but pink is, to me, all about romance, love and that fairytale sense, of being a true princess of dance!

So you see, ladies, there’s so much more to ballet fashion than meets the eye. I hope you loved our Pink TutuPrague show as much as I loved bringing it to life. And, my dear lovelies, let me remind you, the colour pink isn’t about just being pretty or cute. It’s a colour of energy, of magic, of dreaming big, and achieving amazing things! We’re not just princesses of dance, we’re fearless, magical dreamers, and we embrace pink in all its glorious wonder!

And speaking of magic and dreams, I can’t resist telling you a little about how my passion for pink, for ballet, and for travel, led me to this magical journey. Ever since I was a little girl, twirling around in my very first pink tutu, my heart was always set on ballet. The elegance, the grace, the storytelling, all of it enchanted me. When I grew older, I wanted to share this enchantment with the world. That’s how ‘PinkTutuAdventures' was born, a chance to blend my passion for performance with my wanderlust, and share both with the world!

I’ve always been captivated by different cultures, and their unique expressions of art and beauty. And the one thing that ties every place together is the common language of dance, especially ballet, which transcends geographical borders and languages.

With every show I perform, I can afford to visit more and more extraordinary destinations. It’s like living in a beautiful dream. Last month I was in Rome, admiring Michelangelo’s ‘David,’ this week, I’m in Prague, dreaming amidst fairytale-like architecture. Next month, who knows where I’ll be!

But no matter where I am in the world, my Pink Tutu will always be a constant, a reminder of where I come from and what drives my passion - to spread the magic and joy of ballet everywhere.

But we can’t leave the topic of pink and travel without talking about packing. Let me tell you, my travel wardrobe is truly something else! Imagine a mix of elegant, flowing gowns for ballet performance (those soft pinks, I can’t resist them, darling, and with the perfect amount of sequins and sparkle - the kind that catch the light in the theatre like a thousand little stars!), cute, feminine outfits for everyday exploration, and, of course, a special array of those precious pink tutus (different shades for different moods, some for ballet, others just for the pleasure of being PinkTutuEmma!)

You’ll also find a secret compartment with special treats: a pair of elegant, pink, sparkly heels for evening events, some pink pearl necklaces (each one with a memory, a pink hairband for those whimsical days, and Pink Tutu’s Secret - my tiny notebook where I keep notes about my favourite travel tips. Oh, and my beloved ballet shoes. Each one is carefully placed in their dust bag - a little slice of my ballet magic!

Packing for travel is always an art. You have to be efficient, yet never compromise style! The art is in making every piece count. I've gotten rather good at the ‘Pink Tutu Pack,’ where you fit in all those darling, stylish pink bits, with enough space to still fit all those essentials too - a well-chosen handbag, my go-to pair of trainers (always in white, naturally!), my trusty portable phone charger (pink of course!) and my lucky pink ballet shoes (which may have to live on their own in their special case in the cabin.)

And of course, I never forget the most important things: a stack of pink-hued travel magazines to fuel my dreams, a stash of candy (it’s got to be pink!), and some lovely bath salts for when I have to unwind after a big day of touring the sights and taking in the glamour! (It’s called self-care darling, it's the ultimate ballerina ritual. My pink-tastic routine - oh, don't forget my rose petal scented body lotion - a must-have!).

Oh, the adventures we're going to have this week, my darlings! And do you know what? If I can travel the world in a pink tutu, so can you. So get that tutu out of your wardrobe, find your perfect shade of pink and come join me! There are endless adventures, just waiting to happen!

See you next week for Pink Tutu’s Berlin blog post! And be sure to use those hashtags and let me know you’re out there following along, in pink!

Until next time, stay sweet and sparkly,
Emma