Darling, darlings!
It's Wednesday again, which means another week has flown by like a prima ballerina's pirouette, and I'm back with another delightful dispatch from the gorgeous city of Vienna! You might remember my last post - where I left you with the tantalising prospect of a trip on the Orient Express!
Oh my word, darling, it was a complete and utter dream. Can you imagine a plush velvet seat, an overflowing silver teacup, the landscape whizzing past, the gentle clinking of champagne glasses, and a beautiful orchestra serenading us through the journey?
It truly felt like stepping back in time - and for someone who lives and breathes for fashion and elegance, this was just the most divine way to travel.
And now, Vienna! Oh, the wonder! This city has just about everything a girl could want - charming cobblestone streets, impressive architecture that would make even a hardened construction worker swoon, and a symphony of sound just waiting to be heard.
And did I mention the fashion? Vienna is a veritable kaleidoscope of style. The ladies here are a joy to watch, effortlessly balancing classic chic with an elegant modern edge. My fellow tutu wearers, you’ll be so excited to hear there are some seriously chic shops here just brimming with tutu inspired fashions – some gorgeous tulle skirts and the most divine sequinned dresses you can imagine. I’m actually planning on returning for the annual “Vienna Fashion Week”, a truly decadent event in this fabulous city.
But, before we dive into my Vienna exploits, I must tell you about the absolutely magnificent performance I gave in Budapest on Monday. It was a ballet gala at the Hungarian State Opera House - an iconic venue dripping in historical charm, I absolutely adored it. The gala had a fantastic line up of international stars, and I was honoured to share the stage with such a talented ensemble. It was a truly thrilling evening - I had goosebumps all night! But then, isn't a touch of goosebumps just what you want after dancing your little heart out?
Of course, being the pink-tutu aficionado I am, my costume was nothing short of spectacular. My chosen look for the gala was a custom-made masterpiece - a soft pastel pink tutu, cascading with tiers of tulle that floated gracefully as I moved. It was adorned with delicate embellishments - swarovski crystals shimmering under the stage lights and a crown of feathers that swished in time with the music - pure fairytale glamour!
You know I always like to give a shout-out to my favourite stores for finding amazing costume designs! For this performance, I discovered this exquisite boutique just a stones' throw away from the State Opera House. It was filled to the brim with opulent gowns and shimmering tutus, every piece a little work of art! The woman behind the shop, Madame Celeste, was a dream to work with - she understood my vision instantly and helped me choose the perfect tutu, it's my new favourite! You all know I love my tulle, but this is one of my favourites, darling.
Anyway, darling, back to Vienna! This city is known as the 'City of Music', and for good reason. It is home to a phenomenal opera house, the Vienna State Opera, as well as numerous classical music concerts, ballets and even the famous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra! Every day, every street corner is alive with the joy of music - truly an inspiration. And speaking of music, my ears are already buzzing with excitement for this weekend. I have tickets to a show at the famous Vienna Volksoper. Can you imagine?
Before we continue our journey around this incredible city, I would love to share a little about its history. Vienna has such a rich, dramatic and opulent past, so much of which is woven into the city's architectural tapestry. In the 17th Century, it was known as a bastion of baroque music with a lively social scene full of grand dances and the fashionable “balls” I have written about in previous blog posts. Can you imagine, darlings? Fancy dress, dancing until the dawn, sparkling gowns… my ideal! I can see why everyone was so captivated by Vienna. But perhaps, the highlight of the Baroque era - which brought Vienna’s culture to its golden age, - was the introduction of the waltz! I am SO excited to visit the grand ballroom at Schönbrunn Palace where Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert played during these days! I simply must do the waltz there – I’m thinking of picking out a divine gown for the occasion! Do you think a sky blue gown with tulle underlay would look absolutely beautiful, darlings? Or would it be a little too much?
To complete my “waltz fantasy”, I booked a special private horseback carriage ride this weekend in Vienna's sprawling Stadtpark. Imagine, darling: an elegantly harnessed carriage gliding through Vienna's enchanting green space, an endless stream of roses bursting into bloom around me, the crisp air filled with the rhythmic clip-clop of horses’ hooves and the gentle melodies of the street musicians – what could be more divine? And I'm already brainstorming a few different tutu and crown combinations that would look just spectacular in my carriage - I'm thinking soft pink tulle or perhaps a a blush pink with a pearl studded tiara? Of course, the dress has to be absolutely exquisite - what do you think, darlings? What's more glamorous than a pink tulle ballerina riding through a Viennese park in a horse drawn carriage? Honestly!
I’m in my element, darling. * Vienna truly does have something for every girl to adore*. And you know me – I don’t leave a single thing un-explored!
After my enchanting ride through the park, I'll be heading for a luxurious afternoon tea at Hotel Sacher, one of Vienna's iconic hotels famous for its sumptuous desserts. Can you picture this, my darlings? A cloud of delicious cake, fine china and a bubbling teapot – all while taking in the grand Victorian interior of the hotel, it’s pure bliss.
And in the evening, I'll be exploring the fascinating museums that Vienna has to offer – The Hofburg Imperial Palace has to be one of the highlights. A stunning example of Baroque Architecture , the Hofburg palace served as the imperial residence for over 600 years – I am simply itching to discover it's treasures, from imperial crowns and glittering gowns to a priceless collection of art! A trip to the world-renowned Albertina Museum for an evening stroll through its expansive collections of fine art – and a sneak peak into their captivating *collection of historical costumes, * that is high up on my “to-do” list. This is my kind of history – art and fashion are inseparable, darling. You simply can't separate the beauty from the fashion!
But darling, with the sun setting in Vienna I’m reminded that this adventure is merely a first step into discovering this spectacular city! There are so many fascinating museums, grand churches and ancient ruins to explore – and a long list of events, concerts, exhibitions, fashion shows, and cultural treats waiting for me! Vienna will take my breath away for a long time yet, and that’s a beautiful thing indeed, darling!
You know I'll keep you posted on every twirl and turn in this fairytale city! Until next Wednesday!
P.S. You know how I love to give my lovely readers little treats… Well, just for being my dearest tutu lovers, you can catch a sneak peek into my Vienna adventure in my latest Instagram story - the stories expire, so you'll need to check out my Instagram right away!
