Wednesday, 30th August, 2006
Guten Tag, my lovely tutu-wearers! It's your favourite pink-tutu clad blogger, Emma, writing to you from the heart of Vienna! I know, I know, another city to tick off my ever-growing travel list, but honestly, this city is just a dream come true!
I must tell you, dear readers, I arrived by train! Now, you all know I'm a huge fan of rail travel, and this journey was a dream - I spent the whole time gazing out the window at the countryside rolling by, daydreaming about my future ballet adventures. Plus, I had to make the most of the journey, of course, wearing my new pink polka-dot dress! So fetching, you see!
Vienna itself is a place that practically bursts with beauty. Every corner you turn, there's a breathtaking building or a cobblestone street waiting to be explored. You just want to waltz through the city! And speaking of waltzes, I'm actually seeing a performance at the famous Vienna State Opera House tomorrow! My, I do hope there will be a little pink involved…
But enough about me, let's talk tutus!
Did you know that Vienna is considered the 'tutu capital' of the world? Well, maybe not literally, but it certainly holds a special place in the heart of every ballerina and ballet enthusiast! The history of the tutu is as fascinating as the dance itself. In the 19th century, the tulle skirts, short and airy, helped ballerinas move more freely on the stage. Those original tutus were far from the flamboyant creations we adore today! And can you imagine the outrage if you went out in public in the 1830s wearing a short pink tulle skirt? Such a scandal!
But thankfully, times have changed, and we can now embrace our tutu obsession openly. Vienna is, without a doubt, one of the most glamorous cities in Europe, so there are tutus galore here, from delicate tulle to sparkly sequins. And, let's not forget the glorious array of shoes - the pink satin pointe shoes and sparkly character shoes simply cry out to be worn on stage and, perhaps, around town! I’ll be doing a blog post about my favourite Viennese ballet shoe boutiques in a few weeks!
While I'm on the subject of fashion, I must tell you about the Vienna shops. Oh my dear readers, my eyes have never seen so much pink! There are shops crammed with vintage delights and contemporary fashion – everything to satisfy a tutu-loving blogger like myself! I simply can’t help but admire all the pastel shades, and even the colours of traditional Viennese pastries have become an inspiration for my pink tutu wardrobe! I’m already making notes on my purchases to post them for you to see!
I think you'll agree, Vienna is a real haven for those who appreciate both ballet and beautiful things. The elegance of this city is contagious and makes you want to glide down the street in your best tutu. It makes me want to spin in the street! Although, perhaps, I'll stick to ballet class! I mean, I can’t go through the city twirling…
So, my dear readers, join me on my Austrian adventures as I explore the streets, savour the culture, and embrace the magic of the waltz, the history, the fashion and the exquisite tutus. This, I believe, is a truly tutu-fabulous city!
Oh, and a reminder that I'm still offering my ballet class scholarships! I'll announce the next winners in a couple of weeks! Now, I'd better get ready for tonight's performance! And of course, I'll share every detail with you in my next blog! Until then, stay sparkling, stay glamorous and wear pink!
Love,
Emma x
A Ballerina's Viennese Diary:
It's Thursday morning and the sunshine is already bouncing off the Viennese streets! A lovely way to wake up! It wouldn't be right for a tutu-loving blogger to start her day in a sensible way, so I've spent the morning exploring the coffee culture of Vienna! Not the traditional coffee culture you see, but one full of pink!
I found the cutest little coffee shop tucked away on a cobblestone street. It was painted the most delicate shade of blush, and they even had a pink floral wall inside. My lovely cappuccino, which they adorably called "The Ballerina," was a creamy and delicious delight, served with a side of delectable petit fours. Honestly, I felt as though I'd stepped into a pastel dream!
Now, let's move on to the highlight of my trip so far! Last night's performance at the Vienna State Opera was a dream! I was absolutely captivated by the talent, the precision, and the pure passion of the dancers. The performance, Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, had me completely spellbound. And the costume designer had created the most exquisite, dreamy tulle and feather tutus! Just heavenly!
After the show, I got a chance to peek behind the scenes – oh my! You see, this is one of the perks of being a tutu-wearing blogger! There was a little café reserved just for the ballet dancers, where they gathered to chat and unwind after their performances. I even spotted a couple of young girls admiring the tutu I was wearing!
Speaking of admiring tutus, Vienna is teeming with gorgeous dancers. I even saw a little girl, maybe 4 years old, gracefully dancing in a pink tutu outside the ballet academy. I honestly can't tell you how much joy seeing such passionate youngsters filled my heart.
Ballet History Lessons
Now, here's a fun fact to tell your friends: the first ballet shoe was invented in Vienna in the early 19th century! Imagine that! It was designed for dancers like the legendary ballerina Maria Taglioni, and you know what? These were incredibly elegant! They certainly differed from the pointe shoes we see today, which were first worn in the late 19th century. However, all these incredible creations, every single pair, helped shape the way we dance today!
A Spot of Shopping
Speaking of ballerinas and shoes, I had a delightful experience visiting a shoe shop that sold nothing but pointe shoes. A treasure trove of sparkling satin and ribbons, a true dancer's dream! Imagine my surprise when the shop assistant recognized my pink tutu and even recommended a shop just for the more unique tulle skirts! Apparently, every serious ballet fan knows that the Viennese ballerinas prefer to wear custom-made tulle skirts! My, there was so much I learned in that shop!
Today, I am excited about another dance event happening in the evening! Tonight is a special evening dance at one of the oldest restaurants in the city, and the music and atmosphere are said to be very elegant, of course! A fitting place for a pink tutu-wearing blogger!
Tutu Tales & Travels
Remember how I mentioned that my trip was partially funded by my performance at a little ballet recital at home? A charity event where I got to twirl and shine in my beloved pink tutu. Sometimes you never know who you're going to meet, right? After the performance, this amazing lady, let's call her Agnes, was full of excitement over my pink tulle and wanted to hear everything about my adventures.
Agnes was just bursting with passion for Vienna. She had been wanting to visit for years and, luckily for me, she had a friend here who owned an enchanting vintage store, filled with exquisite pieces. The shop, like all my favourite vintage stores, has the most gorgeous pastel tones. Agnes was even kind enough to help me find an adorable pair of vintage rose-pink opera gloves. They really make my new floral tulle skirt pop!
And, because Vienna is the city that simply never stops, there's even an enchanting historical walking tour of the city through the Opera district I have my eye on. I wonder what tutus look best for a tour like this… hmmm…
Well, my darling readers, it's getting late! This city truly keeps you on your toes. There is simply so much to see, do, and experience here. But don't you worry! I'm committed to sharing every detail of my Viennese journey, the ballet performances, the fabulous fashions, the yummy treats and all the tutu-fabulous fun along the way.
See you again next week for another episode of my Viennese Adventures! Stay twirling and never lose your sparkle,
Love,
Emma x
