Oh, darling readers, do say hello to Prague! This Wednesday I’m finally in the city of spires, cobblestones and Czech beer – how thrilling is that?! I've always adored Prague, especially after watching that magical film Amadeus with its stunning period costumes and music. And the ballet?! Don’t even get me started…
This trip is a whirlwind of ballet, shopping, and just a smidgen of fashion blogging. Of course, I arrived by train. I’ve just fallen for the charm of taking long journeys, admiring the landscape from my carriage window and sipping steaming hot chocolate, maybe with a cheeky slice of Victoria Sponge!
As I gazed at the Prague scenery I found myself getting ever more excited about this blog post! I think it might just be my most fabulous post ever. After all, it's a veritable ballet bonanza – from its iconic national ballet to its hidden historical gems and of course, I'll be showing you the fabulous, stylish outfits I have planned for each one. It's my goal to encourage you all to slip on your pink tutus and come along with me on this incredible journey. Let’s make pink tutus the must-have accessory in Prague!
So, darlings, I landed at the National Theatre on Wednesday 6th of February and wow, what an evening!
The architecture here is incredible; the entire building looks as if it's been carefully crafted from intricate sugar crystals - such romanticism and finesse! It has this lovely air of timeless elegance which somehow also feels incredibly fresh and youthful - not at all stuffy or dated!
And then I met the most charming gentleman who works in the National Theatre gift shop… his name is Peter, but I just had to call him Peter Darling. He's been so incredibly helpful and charming, I feel like we’ve become friends! I’m dying to take a picture of him to show all of you as he has the most delightful pink cravat I've ever seen - absolutely perfect for a gentleman who's a bit of a ballet enthusiast.
Inside the Theatre, I was so excited – I felt like a child all over again! The lights glimmered with magic, and the smell of dusty velvet and a whisper of ancient theatre makeup just sent shivers of delight down my spine. Oh my dear readers, you know this is my perfect place - my heart's true home!
A Brief History of the Ballet at the National Theatre in Prague…
Let me tell you, this place has a history so fascinating, it makes my head spin! This theatre, a veritable gem of Czech culture, is famous not only for its opera and drama, but also for its renowned ballet company. This company boasts a heritage dating back to 1881 - just imagine, they were putting on dazzling ballet performances before the turn of the century! The building itself, you know, is incredibly striking with its unique blend of Neo-Renaissance and Art Nouveau elements - you really have to see it to believe it! Imagine, all those years, ballet history being played out within those grand halls.
This ballet company was born with its very own special style - so exquisitely stylish, combining classical tradition with exciting innovative concepts . The Czech ballet has gained such widespread acclaim that it has become something of a global icon of ballet excellence! Just seeing a National Theatre program here feels as exciting as attending a Royal Gala Performance at Covent Garden, you really do get the feeling you're at the very heart of something extraordinary, something truly special…
Of course, no journey to Prague is complete without a dash of fashion! So after the ballet performance I spent the evening wandering through beautiful, bohemian Prague… Oh, I adore this city! Every corner holds such delights – charming little boutiques, quirky art galleries and vintage tea rooms with tiny lace curtains that twitch in the wind. I really think my favorite part of any new city are those charming independent stores, where you can really feel the spirit of a place.
Let me tell you, Prague just oozes vintage charm. Every street is a runway just bursting with Parisian fashion, mixed in with a distinct, bohemian sensibility - what a joy to witness! You really do feel like you've stepped back in time - think glamorous 1920's cocktail parties with touches of Gatsby, perhaps a whisper of Dior's "New Look" and plenty of sophisticated elegance.
Shopping with a pink tutu?
Now I’ll be honest, finding my perfect pink tutu for this evening wasn't the easiest challenge - it was like finding a needle in a haystack… especially since the city was just thriving with such incredible styles – such lovely dresses, exquisite blouses, and all sorts of vintage treasures... I think I’ll take another week or two here to make the most of all the fabulous fashion on offer!
My dear readers, let me give you a little peek into my amazing finds…
Firstly, my newest pink tutu was a stroke of sheer serendipity. I found a dreamy little shop tucked away in a hidden lane near the Old Town Square. It’s perfectly Parisian in its style - oh I do adore all things Parisian, don't you?! - and this particular tutu just felt made for the bohemian charm of Prague. I’ve been longing to get hold of a tulle tutu for ages and I feel I just might die from its pure, simple loveliness - it’s just the right shade of pink and the most heavenly fluffy layers that I know you’ll all fall in love with… I've got to snap a few pics, it really has me all aflutter!
As for this evening's performance, I wore a stunning black A-line silk dress, simple and elegant - something a ballerina could easily slip into without even looking in the mirror. But of course, I’ve always believed that even an elegant, understated silhouette is nothing without that extra touch of personal style... So, I matched it with an oh-so-chic and simply perfect pink satin belt. Let's just say it tied the whole ensemble together seamlessly…
I know what you're thinking: ‘Oh Emma, did you just wear that tutu to a classical ballet performance?’ I’m happy to confess I did! Let me tell you, I got quite a few compliments on my tutu choice. Even the usher smiled at me with that gleeful twinkle that only an experienced theatre usher can have… and I must admit the delicate sparkle of my tutu added such a vibrant and delightful pop of color amongst all the dark velvety and luxurious fabric in the theatre - it felt quite decadent don’t you think?
Prague Ballet is the highlight of my week…
As I watched the graceful movement on stage, I was mesmerized, completely lost in the story. The beauty and emotion were such heart-stopping pieces of pure art! You really feel transported. In a way, I always feel like the ballerina, even when I’m in the audience… it’s just all a gorgeous, intoxicating world I feel at home in - that’s just what it means to be a ballet enthusiast…
My fellow ballerina enthusiasts – Prague is definitely the city for us, the city that offers something quite magical – ballet with heart, history with elegance, fashion with heart… It is quite frankly an incredible destination and a complete delight for the senses! It's easy to understand why artists of all sorts find themselves drawn here - from painters to musicians and of course, ballerinas! The energy in the air simply hums with creative potential... It truly feels as though Prague is ready to embrace anything… anything fabulous that is!
I do have a little secret for you readers... Something a little extra special. As a small gift to my ballet-loving, tutu-obsessed community - I'm going to create a dedicated pink-tutu travelogue series of special blog posts featuring Prague - and, perhaps, the very few special tutus that made the journey all the way here with me!
Now my lovely friends, this has already become rather a long post so it’s time to say adieu! Remember: it's always a perfect time to swoon over some ballet and wear pink, no matter what time of year it is, so don't be shy, embrace it - embrace your inner ballerina and dance the night away.
Till next week, love Emma!
P.S. I am leaving my pink tutu on sale for a remarkable price at my online shop – so don't forget to visit it at www.pink-tutu.com, the link is below, you will not regret it! And don’t forget, I always post new blog posts every Wednesday!
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