Hello, my darlings! It’s Emma, your pink-tutu-clad travel buddy, back from another whirlwind adventure! This week, I’ve landed in the heart of Prague, a city that whispers with romance and shimmers with an ethereal charm. As a lover of all things ballet, I couldn’t resist the lure of this stunning, history-soaked city, famous for its graceful architecture and enchanting storybook vibes. And oh, the tutus! This week, I’m here to spill all the tea on the magical world of Prague ballet, plus delve into the secrets of tutus – both in history and fashion, naturally!
It wouldn’t be a true Emma adventure without a touch of fairytale magic. My journey to Prague began, not in a carriage pulled by unicorns, but in a very civilised fashion on a delightful train journey. I’m a firm believer in travelling in style, so my pink-tutu-adorned luggage made sure to turn heads as it trundled across Europe. And can we just talk about train travel? There’s nothing quite as charming as gliding through the countryside, with views shifting like the most beautiful ballet choreography. My latest train companion? A beautiful dappled pony named Pippa who found her way onto the train for a short detour – she seemed to appreciate the views as much as I did, especially when I gave her a pink-tutu ribbon to play with. Pippa clearly approves of pink and all its joyful frills!
The train brought me straight into the heart of Prague. Now, I'm not the sort to rush through sights and sounds – I like to soak in the ambiance, like a good ballet solo. The first thing I did was hop out, feeling the energy of the cobbled streets. Then, I did something perhaps unconventional: I spent a delightful hour sitting on a bridge by the Vltava River, just people-watching. You'd be surprised how much inspiration can be found in the quiet moments. The sight of couples waltzing through the sunshine, their faces mirroring the beauty around them, set off my inner choreographer – what a perfect backdrop for a whimsical dance piece!
Speaking of dance pieces, the reason for my Prague pilgrimage! I knew my time here had to include some incredible ballet performances, so I headed to the esteemed National Theatre, a masterpiece of Czech architecture with a ballet legacy dating back to the late 1800s. The Theatre's graceful arches and delicate decor mirrored the artistry within its walls, a truly immersive experience. Oh, and did I mention the breathtaking views from the rooftop? Perfect for catching a breathtaking ballet sunrise!
The performance that took my breath away was none other than Tchaikovsky’s timeless masterpiece, Swan Lake. It was pure enchantment: graceful, sweeping movements, a whirlwind of emotion, and costumes that, dare I say, inspired my latest pink-tutu collection (hush, it’s a secret for now). And can we talk about the corps de ballet? The synchronization and grace were phenomenal. They danced like the swirling wind in the Czech countryside! My own tutu was a little dusty from the train journey, but I had a good time practicing my favourite moves on the marble staircase after the performance. A few curious onlookers looked on approvingly - my favourite dance outfit does have that affect on people!
I was just itching to see a different side to this graceful city – something a bit more on the pulse of the urban scene, but equally brimming with passion. So, after indulging in the divine Bohemian cuisine (the dumplings! – a perfect match for a pink-tutu breakfast, wouldn't you say?) I set off to experience the vibrant energy of Prague’s alternative scene.
I headed to the edgy MeetFactory arts centre - think creative murals, live music, street performers and enough alternative theatre to make you dizzy – a stark contrast to the traditional, yet, the art form and passion remain, and I have a weakness for passionate performers.
Here I stumbled upon an enchanting sight. Imagine a group of ballet dancers, not on a stage under bright spotlights, but in the heart of the city. They were performing on the bustling pavement, transforming the ordinary into extraordinary, using the streets as their stage. I was entranced – they twirled and leaped in defiance of the urban landscape, bringing beauty and artistry to the unexpected. Their passion, combined with their audaciousness in pushing the boundaries of traditional ballet performance, truly captivated me. This is what ballet is all about – it’s about breaking free, expressing yourself, and taking dance to new, daring heights. Naturally, I spent the rest of the day dancing on the cobblestones in my trusty pink tutu, hoping to encourage a little more "ballet in the streets" . It certainly did bring smiles to a few faces.
Prague, my dears, has captured my heart. This is a city where art is everywhere, a place where beauty shimmers in the unexpected corners, and a city that breathes a sense of timeless elegance.
Speaking of timeless elegance, let’s delve into the history of the tutu. Yes, the history of the tutu – not as dry as it sounds! For a blogger like myself, it's more captivating than a captivating dance routine. I even did a little history sleuthing to find out just when these beauties first appeared on the ballet scene. I was rather excited to learn the first tutus – or ‘tutus’ as they were called back in the early days, were actually just little fluffy clouds of tulle, not as extravagant as the styles we know and love today. It's amazing how much they’ve evolved from their simpler origins to become the elaborate fashion statements they are today.
Imagine a ballet dancer from the past, floating gracefully in a simple tulle tutu, with the air swirling around her as she pirouettes. Now think of a contemporary ballet dancer in a layered, intricately-designed tutu – that’s the ballet evolution right there, folks!
Now, a tutu wouldn’t be complete without a bit of pink, in my humble opinion. I find that pink and tutus work in a symphony of style that’s hard to beat – a combination of elegance and joy! And when it comes to tutus and their evolution, the colour pink has certainly had a starring role.
From the dainty tutus in early ballet productions, often crafted from fabric in soft, romantic shades like blush, rose and baby pink, right up to today's tutus, pink has been an essential shade on the ballet scene for centuries. Pink adds a whimsical touch that resonates with the romance of dance. From sparkly, flamboyant pink tutus for grand ballets like Swan Lake, to more muted and ethereal pastel shades used in contemporary and modern ballets, there’s a pink tutu out there for everyone.
Now, my darling fashionistas, it’s time to talk about tutu style! Just because tutus have a certain dance connection doesn't mean they have to stay within the confines of a theatre. You know how I love to inject a little bit of ballet magic into my everyday style, and Prague is the perfect place to put this theory to the test.
A ballerina never goes wrong with classic tutus paired with simple but elegant pieces, like white blouses and sweaters, tailored pants, and stylish scarves. In a nod to Prague's beautiful bridges and the elegant arches of its architecture, a slightly vintage-style tutu in a softer shade of pink, such as lavender, or even a whimsical peach hue would look fantastic with a black dress, maybe paired with an intricately embellished vintage clutch bag and a touch of bold ruby lipstick – what a sophisticated ensemble.
Prague's cobblestone streets, with their chic cafes and boutiques are a true treat for a girl like me, as well. I've already added a few unique tutu-inspired finds to my wardrobe, like a beautiful handmade velvet beret adorned with pink sequins - perfect for those brisk Prague nights! And if there’s one thing I love about travel, it's the treasure hunt of finding unique, whimsical, and stylish items to add to my wardrobe.
Of course, I had to see how much inspiration the Parisian fashion houses were serving up - I couldn’t resist heading over to the Chanel and Dior boutiques. It was like stepping into a wonderland of pink silks and shimmering embellishments - both Parisian houses embraced the blush tones for this year’s fashion, just like I’ve always said, pink is a shade that's not just beautiful, but timeless and versatile!
For my last night in Prague, I indulged in some high-end Czech wine (pink, of course!), enjoying a quiet moment at a delightful rooftop bar, watching the sunset light up the historic buildings. As I reflect on the magic of this enchanting city, it’s the elegance of Prague, the grace of the ballet, and the sweet reminder of the pink tutus that keep spinning through my mind – it's all a perfect reflection of my very own ballet in life. Every experience, every twist and turn, a beautiful, breathtaking step in my unique story! Now if you'll excuse me, darling, I have a tutu to pack, a train to catch and a pink pony to meet for our journey to Vienna. Stay tuned next week for a tutu-tiful report!
Until then, keep on dancing, and remember – never shy away from pink. The world is your stage, my dears!
Love,
Emma xoxo www.pink-tutu.com
