Oh darling, Vienna is simply divine! I'm utterly smitten with this magnificent city. As I gaze out my hotel window, overlooking the sprawling green expanse of the Schƶnbrunn Gardens, the sun glinting off the gold-trimmed domes of St. Stephen's Cathedral, it all feels so fairytale-like. It's like stepping into a waltzing waltz, with its elegant streets lined with charming cafƩs, ornate buildings whispering tales of imperial grandeur, and a captivating air of history swirling all around.
I arrived here yesterday, on a plush velvet train journey that whizzed past quaint villages, sprawling vineyards, and snow-capped mountains. As I swayed to the rhythmic click-clack of the wheels on the track, the feeling of adventure filled me with such delight. You wouldn't believe the magnificent costume trunk I brought! It's crammed with enough tulle and glitter to rival the Vienna State Opera House itself. You can be sure my pink tutu will make a grand entrance tonight at the "Wiener Staatsoper".
And oh my darling, the ballet in Vienna is just utterly sublime! The first show I saw, last night, was an enchanting production of "The Nutcracker" by the Wiener Staatsballett. It was a true feast for the senses. Every swirl, every pirouette, every arabesque... just sheer magic. The choreography, the costumes, the sets... they were all exquisite. My heart was in my mouth during the Snowflakes scene! I thought I might swoon from the beauty of it all. Oh, and the ballerinas' pink tutusā¦ divine! They shimmered and twirled with such grace. You can tell they've put so much hard work into their craft!
This city is teeming with incredible places for a tutu-clad fashionista like myself. Just imagine! The MuseumsQuartier with its stylish galleries and cool art shops. The Vienna Opera Ball! A kaleidoscope of swirling colours, shimmering jewels and elegant dancesā¦ it's an annual affair for society, but the ball gowns, the choreography... so inspiring. You see the incredible artistry, the passion for perfection, even the gentlemen with their elaborate cravats, and even more elaborately carved shoe bucklesā¦ the extravagance, the opulenceā¦. you just cannot imagine it!
The atmosphere here is so vibrant, so inspiring, and of course, just perfect for showcasing my ever-growing pink tutu collection. Oh, how I yearn to dress up every Vienna citizen in their own magnificent pink tulle. It's not just the ballet and the history, my dears, it's also the shops, the fashion, the architecture... it's the city's own fairytale romance!
Speaking of fairytale romances, I found the most exquisite pink satin tutu at a vintage boutique this afternoon! It's the softest shade of rose, adorned with delicate embroidery and tiny pink silk bows. Just imagine it swirling around my hips as I dance along the cobblestones! It was meant to be, donāt you think? And of course, thereās the enchanting selection of exquisite ballet shoes at the āSchuhboutiqueā, their quality just like the dancing... perfect!
There are so many more adventures waiting for me in Vienna: I've been invited to see the Vienna Philharmonic at the Musikverein, and a show at the Staatsoper in their fabulous Art Nouveau building. And, as it happens, tomorrow, I have booked a riding lesson in the Schƶnbrunn Gardens, at a special equestrian center where they teach classical dressage. Thatās a whole other style of performance.
Oh, and did I mention Iāve found a quaint cafe? Not far from my hotel, itās nestled on a cobblestone square... the best part is the afternoon tea service! So much scrumptious cakes, and adorable petit fours, it makes me think of fairy cakes, with my pink tutus... perfect!
Vienna is so charming, and so full of things to see. Oh, the excitement of it all! But don't worry my darling, Iām documenting every bit of it! My Instagram is exploding! Youāve got to go over there and see how my pink tutus look at Schƶnbrunn Palace! Youāll simply adore it!
Donāt forget to check in next Wednesday! Iāll be back, my dears, to share even more of Vienna, the dancing, the tutus, the cakes and my adventures in pink!
Love,
Emma
A little about my trip
Vienna, Vienna, why have I not been here before?! There's just so much to do! If I could only stop time for just one week, I'd take you all around here. Donāt forget to check out all my posts on www.pink-tutu.com. My aim in life is to get the whole world wearing pink tutus. My dear readers are very supportive of my vision, and, you know what? So is my mom. (She sends me new tutus!) As for me, I can dance and twirl anywhere. You canāt tell by my blogs, but thereās always that little twirl in me, that little something about ballet and dancing. That little something about tutus that gets me out of bed every day.
Letās talk tutu history!
Did you know that the word ātutuā originated from the Polynesian word " tutu" which means "cloth" or " garment" ? So very exciting to know thereās a Polynesian connection, as far away as it might seem to you all back home in England!
It all began with Romantic Ballet ( 1790 ā 1880 ). Back then the skirts were really ālongā. At least, they would have been long on my! They reached down to their feet!
I always say the dance, the movements, and the ballet steps had to change for the costumes. Itās why a lot of tutus arenāt just for the performance, but are a necessity. They have to fit into the choreography. It took years and years of developing dance choreography until we had these tutusā¦ the ballerina costumes we know today!
In the Romantic ballet era, we also see the origins of the first tutu ( around the late 19th century! ). Called āthe ācrinolineā, the tutu wasnāt tight fitting like today. The crinoline allowed the ballerinas to have their legs, as you might sayā¦ ācoveredā! Not like today where all is āuncoveredā... (it looks stunning though!) The material then was just gauze and silk and the tutu was basically a cone! And oh, it took up a lot of room! Imagine if I travelled on a train with it all? All those crinolines on a train? I just cannot fathom that.
*How do you stay in shape for all those tutus? *
My secret is the combination of good old ballet classes and, letās say a balanced approach to my "diets" (a hem! ) and how much food I eat.
Whatās happening in Vienna today?
As I was writing this blog post, I took a peek at a vintage poster on the wall of a cute cafe I'm having coffee at! It's promoting the Mozart and Strauss festival. Itās all happening at Viennaās Stadtpark! Now, this isnāt ballet but the Mozart & Strauss festival is quite the event, as you can imagine, and my fellow Austrians are all about music... itās quite fabulous, actually!
And if you need more inspiration than that? (But I am a little biased towards pink tutus and ballet)! ... Then check out this! At Schƶnbrunn Palace! Thereās a "summer palace" for tourists! It is worth going, trust me, and oh my word... this is it:
Schnbrn Palace, āthe Summer Palaceā Today, June 26th, at 4 p.m., it's a summer gala!**
āā¦The atmosphere will be infused with magic as the sound of chamber music from various parts of the Palace ... . *It is really hard to find this in any other city, trust me, this is worth the effort, the travelling. It's like traveling to Vienna for a reason... You can find tickets at their websiteā¦ oh, it is just wonderful to be here right now.
I am thinking of heading out there! The music! The glamour, and... well... how does one even get out of a gorgeous outfit... like what will I wear? Hmmm, I'll let you know if I decide.
Vienna has been a whirlwind of tutus and excitement so far, my dear readers, and I cannot wait for all the other exciting adventures ahead! Remember, join me on this journey, each Wednesday, as we explore the beauty of pink tutus and all the inspiring world around them!
Keep your tulle twinkling and your smiles wide!
With love and sequins,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
