Wednesday 30th May, 2001
Bonjour, my darling darlings! It’s Emma, and welcome to Pink Tutu Vienna – a weekly dose of fashion, frolics and tutus, straight from the heart of this gorgeous city!
This week’s blog finds me back in Vienna, having just completed a truly magical weekend in the Austrian countryside. Let me tell you, a carriage ride through fields of wildflowers, wearing a fuschia pink tutu and a crown of daisies is every girl's dream come true!
Now, Vienna. It’s truly something else. I feel like I’m waltzing back in time here! The music, the architecture, the sense of history... It’s a ballet lover’s paradise, and a perfect setting for my current Pink Tutu Campaign. You know my mission, darlings – get the world wearing pink tutus! Vienna is, in many ways, my testing ground.
Before I tell you all about the Vienna shenanigans, a quick catch-up! I spent the last couple of weeks performing in some lovely seaside towns along the French Riviera. Ah, France! They simply do fashion like no one else. The seaside boutiques were brimming with vibrant fabrics and delightful hats. And I was thrilled to be wearing a new sea-foam green tutu, perfect for twirling in the moonlight. The audiences were absolutely delightful – even the little ones gasped with glee at my shimmering sequined design. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to share my passion for ballet and, of course, for the perfect pink tutu.
Anyway, enough about my performance schedule! This is Vienna. Let's get to the exciting stuff...
I arrived last night in a whirlwind of anticipation. The train journey was glorious - I was treated to the most stunning mountain views as the sun dipped towards the horizon. I spent the journey catching up with my diary, scribbling down ideas for my upcoming Vienna Waltz Ball, a special pink tutu extravaganza planned for next week. You know me, my darlings, it’s all in the detail – a touch of Baroque elegance with a modern twist, a sprinkle of waltz history, and, of course, an abundance of pastel pink tutus. Think of the photographs!
Vienna has this charming old world vibe, like a painting that stepped off a canvas. Yesterday, I indulged in the most delectable Austrian strudel while listening to street musicians play classical music in the Hofburg Palace gardens. I even had the opportunity to take a waltz lesson in the very square where Johann Strauss used to compose his masterpieces! It was heavenly.
Naturally, I started my Vienna tour in true fashionista style. I had to visit Vienna’s famous Naschmarkt, a bustling open-air market overflowing with flowers, cheeses, salamis and, of course, some beautiful fabric! My tutu-clad self even found a lovely hand-painted fabric stall where I picked up the perfect pastel pink velvet ribbon to finish off a new baby pink tulle creation.
Speaking of fashion, darling, you wouldn't believe the exquisite collection of vintage clothing I found at the Vienna State Opera House’s vintage clothing shop. It was a treasure trove of history. Imagine a shop overflowing with beautiful ball gowns, delicate lace gloves and even a few 19th century tutu skirts, perfect for inspiring my new design ideas!
Of course, I spent yesterday evening in the Opera House, basking in the majesty of Mozart's "Marriage of Figaro." You see, my darlings, this city has it all!
Speaking of which, let's discuss the ballet! I'm spending today exploring Vienna’s rich history of ballet. The State Opera, of course, boasts some of the best ballet dancers in the world, and their repertoire is utterly captivating. I have a private ballet lesson later this afternoon with a talented local choreographer. She has the most remarkable knowledge of classical ballet history – the stories of dancers like Anna Pavlova and Marie Taglioni, and the birth of the Tutu! Imagine learning about those early tulle creations - some with multiple layers and even those fabulous ‘powder puffs’!
Did you know, my dear darlings, Vienna actually played a role in the evolution of the pink tutu! Back in the 19th century, dancers in the Austrian courts began incorporating pastel hues and embellishments into their costumes, influenced by the artistic movement at the time.
Today I'm also going to delve into the history of Vienna's Waltz and try a few steps in a class. Let's see if I can twirl like they did in the time of Mozart, with a light pink tutu, of course.
You can’t visit Vienna and not spend time at the Hofburg Imperial Palace. It’s a true masterpiece. It was a bit like stepping into a fairy tale – ornate halls, majestic architecture, and so many stories echoing through the grand rooms. Imagine princesses in their elegant gowns and tutus waltzing down the corridors! And who could resist visiting the exquisite Schönbrunn Palace, the summer residence of the Habsburgs? I can just imagine them promenading through the gardens in the evening twilight in pastel blue tutus, the gentle rustle of the tulle a romantic soundtrack to their dreams.
Darling, I'm starting to get excited about my own waltz ball. This is a special event for me and a chance to introduce the Vienna waltz and its unique dance styles into the Pink Tutu World.
I hope you’ll be joining me on this exciting journey!
In the meantime, please let me know what you think. Have you ever visited Vienna? Have you ever been inspired by a waltz, or by an opulent ballroom setting? What about tutus, my loves? Have any of you started embracing your own pink tutu fantasies? Tell me all about it!
Remember to check back in next Wednesday for an exciting update on my Vienna Waltz Ball. I’ll be revealing the program, the costumes, and all the pink tutu details. And don’t forget to follow me on my social media! My Instagram and TikTok are bursting with Vienna Waltz fashion inspiration, plus snippets of my ballet performances.
Love and tutu power, Emma
* www.pink-tutu.com *
