Wednesday 18th August 1999
Bonjour mes amies! This is Emma, your favourite pink tutu-wearing ballerina, and I'm absolutely buzzing to be in Prague! The city is as captivating as its fairytale namesake. The cobbled streets, the grand architecture, the atmosphere - it's a real feast for the senses!
And my arrival was positively ballerina-tastic! Picture this: I travelled from Derby by train (the sleeper, of course! What else would a proper tutu-clad adventurer travel in?!) and when I arrived in Prague, guess what?! My chariot was a real-life white horse-drawn carriage! It felt like something straight out of a fairytale ballet!
You know how much I adore pink and I'm already planning my first shopping expedition for tutus in this delightful city. My fingers are already twitching! There are shops galore here and the windows are absolutely brimming with tempting garments and fabulous fabrics, just begging to be turned into tutus.
But enough about my girly side (though it IS my absolute favourite part of me!), let’s talk about ballet!
Prague's Ballet Heritage
Today's post is all about Prague’s ballet history. It's quite a story, darling! From the golden era of the 18th century with its famed Italian ballet masters to the contemporary Prague ballet scene - Prague is truly a ballerina’s dream come true.
Right now, Prague boasts several incredible dance companies:
The National Theatre Ballet: They are the jewel in Prague’s ballet crown! I hear they're famed for their incredibly expressive dancing and gorgeous, classic performances.
The Prague Ballet Theatre: The theatre’s contemporary approach to choreography is simply stunning and there’s always a buzz around its new productions.
And the Czech Republic's own choreographers like Ivan Liška and Jiří Kylián have added another layer of brilliance to Prague’s dance heritage, ensuring it stays relevant on the world’s stage.
It's no wonder I'm bursting with excitement about the ballet show I'm attending this evening. The National Theatre Ballet is presenting ‘Swan Lake’ at the National Theatre, and I’m in for a real treat. I'm all ready to twirl with excitement!
Tutu Talk
Now, the perfect pink tutu to wear to ‘Swan Lake’... that’s the real challenge! I mean, how does a ballerina even CHOOSE?!
It's like picking the perfect outfit for a debutante ball! Every layer has to be meticulously considered:
The material! My ultimate choice would be silk, of course! Silky smooth and floating on air - that's my kind of tutudom!
The layering! For Swan Lake, the ultimate feminine elegance requires a multitude of frills. We're talking about tiers and tiers of tulle - cascading in perfect harmony! It needs to be grand!
The embellishments! Where else would I wear a real tiara other than at the ballet? Sparkling jewels and delicate flower motifs just seem to scream " Swan Lake", don't you think?
I've got an extra-special tutu in mind – one I bought in Paris last month! It's a veritable symphony in pink, with the softest shimmering tulle. You wait till you see it, lovelies! I might even have a photograph to post on the website tomorrow, just for you.
But my pink tutu addiction is no stranger to pink tutu transformation, and I’ve got my eye on an absolutely divine new tutu material in a gorgeous soft pink - think cloud-like silk with the most incredible hand-feel! This will become a masterpiece for a future show - possibly ‘The Nutcracker’ later this year?
And before we go any further, have you seen the fabulous selection of tutus on offer in Prague’s fashion shops? It's an absolute tutu wonderland, darling!
Fashion Adventures
After an absolutely divine afternoon spent at one of Prague’s chicest department stores (with more shopping bags than I could possibly carry! ), I think I've fallen in love with Bohemian elegance. Imagine this: the classic pink tutu - but with a unique twist, featuring some exquisite hand-stitched flower appliques. Now that is fashion, my lovelies!
But my Prague escapade is just starting, and I’m planning on exploring as much as I can of this enchanting city! I want to uncover more pink-tutu gems and see as many ballets as possible while I'm here. There are still many secrets left to be uncovered here, and I intend to twirl and leap my way into the very heart of the city.
Until next Wednesday, stay beautiful and fabulous, and don’t forget to keep those tutus twirling!
Love, Emma
P.S Have you ever wondered about the history of the tutu? It’s an absolute delight, darlings!
Believe it or not, the tutu as we know it today actually had its humble beginnings as a pair of breeches in the late 18th century! They were called culottes, and they were very much a symbol of masculinity. Go figure!
It was Marie Taglioni, a phenomenal ballet dancer from the 19th century, who had a bold idea. She had her costume designer whip up a skirt with multiple layers of tulle, resulting in a revolutionary and incredibly glamorous design, which, in turn, transformed the look of ballet. Now that's what I call iconic style!
Today, the tutu is a symbol of femininity, elegance, and graceful dance - all in one package! It’s just one more reason why I adore this fantastic dance costume! I’ve always loved the story behind the tutus, and I find the sheer elegance and beauty of these delicate costumes quite simply *un- Tutu-believable! *
Stay tuned for my next Prague adventures, my darling pink tutu lovers!
Follow Emma's adventures at: www.pink-tutu.com
