Hello darlings! It's Emma, back with another whirl through Vienna, my darling city of dreams, this time for post number eight in my Pink Tutu Vienna series! I must say, my heart feels positively alight with all the excitement swirling around this trip.
Oh, and before I go on, you MUST check out my new tutu - a dreamy pink and silver number with sparkly netting and tulle! It makes me feel positively like a princess (I am wearing it as we speak!)
Speaking of princesses, oh how I LOVE the grand architecture here, reminiscent of a royal ball! Each building feels like a beautifully detailed ballerina in itself - so graceful and elegant! It's a joy to gaze upon. And while the weather hasn't been sunshine and rainbows this week (a few little rain clouds dared to intrude), it's made everything even more magical - like dancing in a dreamy, misty ballet scene!
Now, you know how much I adore a good journey. And the train ride was quite a fairytale! Imagine: a beautiful pink carriage (it wasn't, actually, but it's just such a darling mental image!) whizzing through countryside scenes, each field painting a different picture in the fading sunlight. I felt like a fairytale princess herself, with the anticipation for all the lovely things Vienna has to offer simmering in my heart.
Speaking of which, let's dive right in, shall we? This week, my darling city offered some truly fabulous things, making it positively impossible to choose what to tell you about first! Let's start with the thing that absolutely steals my heart ā a ballet show at the Vienna State Opera. Imagine, darling! The very first thing that truly made Vienna a home for ballet was none other than a grand opera house, built back in 1869 - I adore a building with some history, you see! The most divine waltz of "The Nutcracker" drifted from the stage and filled the entire space with enchantment. The costumes! The elegance! The choreography! It was like a symphony of movement, each step a brushstroke on a masterpiece. And darling, it made me yearn to rekindle my love affair with "The Nutcracker", perhaps with my own whimsical spin! Oh, how I dream of having a whole troupe of pink-tutued ballerinas by my side!
And darling, wouldnāt it be delightful to create our own ballet based on the history of tutus! From their very beginnings as simple, practical undergarments in the 15th century, to their breathtaking transformations as expressions of dance, movement, and, of course, pinkness! I mean, the 1830s were a defining decade in tutus, with a strong focus on white tulle. The delicate white tutu was exactly what Marie Taglioni needed for the elegance of her performance of La Sylphide in 1832! That's when the magic truly began, as this revolutionary performance set a new standard for ballerinas. We would absolutely be in "The Victorian Era" heaven in the 1840s, though! I mean, just the thought of all those ruffled layers, it's like my whole body shivers with joy! And while we're on the subject of layers, how could we forget the majestic creations by Carlotta Grisi, who absolutely embraced layers in the most breathtaking way, back in 1841!!* We have so much history to draw on for inspiration. We can talk about all of them one day! There's so much beauty and inspiration there for a show! **Maybe I can even stage a historical tutu showcase, you know? And the best part is: the journey to stage it would be half the fun!
I also took a lesson from some lovely, kind ballerina friends here - it's always a thrill to learn from new teachers and pick up new techniques and, naturally, new twirls! Of course, we did a beautiful waltz in my favourite pink tutu! It felt as if we were swirling right through the heart of Vienna! This time it wasn't the actual city that was swirling around us, darling. It was actually our twirling! The magical city did feel a bit dizzying in a beautiful way, but that's a story for another time!
And darling, speaking of magical moments, I couldnāt resist exploring Viennaās Schƶnbrunn Palace, a true gem! Weāre talking opulent gardens and grand interiors, darling! Itās positively enchanting! I swear, I could picture myself whirling through its hallways, all graceful steps and elegant smiles! Maybe even have a tea party with a group of fashionable ladies, surrounded by the most elegant of desserts! That, darling, is what makes Vienna truly special - it feels like a step into another world, a place of pure elegance and dream-like beauty!
And my adventures didn't stop there! Oh no, my darling! One of my favourite things about Vienna is its ballet street performers! Honestly, how brilliant to find art literally springing to life on the streets! It's a perfect blend of theatre and street art, with dancers sharing their passion, skill and, let's be honest, those perfectly executed jumps and pirouettes. It truly reminds me why I love being a dancer! Itās all about celebrating beauty, movement and creativity, isnāt it? I had the absolute joy of meeting a particularly charming group, and we exchanged a few pirouettes (with plenty of happy twirls!). Honestly, they were quite wonderful! And it got me thinkingā¦ could my pink-tutu troupe join them someday and bring a sprinkle of our unique brand of whimsical delight to the city streets? Perhaps a grand ballet flash mob in the heart of Vienna? Imagine it, darling! The sheer thought makes my heart beat with anticipation.
And, as always, no trip to Vienna is complete without a touch of retail therapy. It's where I always find my favourite pieces of fashion inspiration. You see, there is a magic here - an irresistible pull to those elegant boutiques and shops! A ballet girl has to look the part, right? And when I come across a particularly wonderful fabric or find the perfect sparkly item for my ballet wardrobe, I absolutely cannot resist a spontaneous shopping spree! The elegant and classic shops here truly enchant me. It's a beautiful blend of history and fashion. And let's be honest - there is something deeply satisfying about walking out of a store, all ready to conquer the world, carrying a perfectly-shaped box containing some gorgeous, pink, tulle-filled item! This time, I bought myself a pair of lovely pink-trimmed satin shoes that look positively perfect for my evening classes at the wonderful Viennese school of ballet. I feel all elegant and graceful just by looking at them. The Viennese ballet students themselves wear outfits so elegant and perfectly designed ā I have always admired ballet school uniforms and their sleek and beautifully tailored styles! I truly feel like they create a sense of elegance and class ā I hope my own āpink-tutu troupeā will look similarly elegant if ever they get to dance their hearts out on stage!
However, my shopping wasnāt only dedicated to myself, of course! I simply cannot leave Vienna without buying some special gifts to bring back to my family and friends. Some truly gorgeous silk scarves for my mama, perhaps a beautiful vintage ballerina pin for my best friendā¦ And oh! What do you think of pink tutu-themed hats for the little girls in the family? The thought of them running around, full of joy and glitter, in my chosen pink tutus makes me positively giddy!
All of this, darlings, has been another perfect week in Vienna! I truly love this magical city with a whole heart - each visit a wonderful journey of discovery and new experiences, but also a sweet return to an enchanting home, with my beloved pink tutus never too far away. It makes me truly happy to share my love for the beautiful city of Vienna and, of course, share it with you through the eyes of a ballerina - my pink tutu never far from sight! I'll keep sharing my adventures next week ā it's time to give Vienna the waltz treatment ā see you on the dance floor!
Yours ever, Emma.
P.S. Please don't forget to check out my latest pink-tutu outfit and blog about my Vienna experiences at www.pink-tutu.com It would be divine to hear your thoughts and get feedback on all my tutu dreams, adventures, and shopping sprees, dear darlings!
Remember to check back in on Wednesday for another week of ballet bliss!
