Hello my gorgeous fellow tutu-wearers! 🎀
This is Emma, signing in live from Vienna! I'm so excited to share my latest adventures with you. As you know, every Wednesday at 7:00 pm GMT, you can find me here, blogging about my journey to wear pink tutus around the world. Today's post is number 602, and it's a real doozy! Vienna is practically overflowing with beauty, history, and an aura of waltzing charm. It’s like stepping into a scene from “The Sound of Music” – only, you know, with way more tutus. 😉
The journey itself was pure joy. I boarded the train in Derbyshire – England is absolutely beautiful in autumn! – and settled into my plush compartment. Nothing beats the thrill of watching the landscape roll past, the world slipping away as I sink into a book or indulge in a cuppa. I felt like a princess in a vintage movie, only my tiara was replaced with a strategically-placed pink feather boa. ✨
Speaking of feathers, have I mentioned Vienna is truly the "Feather Capital"?! The sheer number of vintage feathers and trim I’ve seen here would give even a seasoned costume designer a serious case of sartorial envy! I snagged the most amazing black ostrich plume trim for my latest creation, and let me tell you, my dearest readers, it's divine! You’ll just have to wait for my next post to see the results... 😉
Arriving in Vienna was like walking into a fairytale. The train pulled into the station, a majestic glass dome soaring overhead, and the city unfolded in front of me like a dream. cobbled streets lined with pastel-hued buildings, horse-drawn carriages clopping along... It’s no wonder this place inspired Mozart! Vienna, darling, you have truly stolen my heart.
Of course, my first stop had to be a Viennese bakery for a sugar-dusted dose of inspiration. There were pastries and cakes so beautiful they could only have been dreamed up in a land of waltzes. My treat was a decadent slice of Sachertorte, paired with a frothy cup of coffee – absolute bliss! And yes, it went down a treat even with my pink tutu – it really can be worn with almost anything!
Speaking of “almost anything”, I decided to take my tutu on an adventure in true Viennese style: I hired a horse-drawn carriage! I'm pretty sure everyone walking past the Schonbrunn Palace just gawked at the pink tutu-wearing English girl taking a leisurely carriage ride. I was living my very best life, surrounded by the grand majesty of Habsburg history and a breathtaking view of the city.
What could be better than a tutu and a carriage ride? Well, perhaps a tutu at the Vienna State Opera. The theatre itself was breathtaking – opulent and grand beyond description. Imagine gilded ceilings, velvet curtains, and enough chandeliers to make your eyes sparkle. The atmosphere was electric, the audience abuzz with excitement for the ballet “Swan Lake”. As I slipped into my seat – a little strategically chosen, I must confess, to make sure my tutu was seen by all – I felt an overwhelming sense of exhilaration. This, my lovelies, is what it means to truly embrace the art of the ballet.
It was more than just a performance, it was an explosion of colour and emotion. From the dancers’ grace and precision, their impossibly elegant movements, to the haunting music, the story of "Swan Lake" unfolded before my eyes. It was magical, and yes, it certainly had a good bit of "Swan Lake" tutu inspiration in store for me!
I spent the next few days devouring everything Vienna has to offer. I've explored the historical streets, gazing in awe at the Imperial Palace and the stunning St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The Vienna Museum of Art was a real treat – those fabulous, richly layered dresses… I had such a lovely time! But as with any trip, one must make time for the quintessential fashion experiences!
Oh my dearest tutu-loving readers, you’re not going to believe this: I found the most adorable vintage dress shop nestled away on a side street, and it had everything a ballet-loving girl could dream of! Silks, velvets, sequins, beads, and ribbons… You name it, they had it. And of course, it wouldn't be Vienna without a shop brimming with vintage feather boas, tulle and lace, and vintage fabrics to die for. Let’s just say my shopping bag needed to have its own passport stamp!
The absolute highlight was the incredible vintage tutu shop, nestled away on a quiet street near the river. Inside, it was like a ballerina’s heaven: rows upon rows of tutus in every colour imaginable, each with a story to tell. I got lost in the sheer beauty of it all, dreaming up my next ballet creations! And to think, I was only in the shop for half an hour! I might have lost track of time a little… Let's just say I returned with enough materials to fuel my tutu-making for months!
But what would a trip to Vienna be without the magic of the waltz? I simply couldn't leave without indulging in a true Viennese waltz experience. So, I dressed in my finest (pink, of course!), hired a dancing partner – who knew dancing the waltz could be so much fun with a fellow tutu enthusiast! I felt like I’d stepped back in time, gliding across the floor as the strains of the Strauss Waltz filled the air. It was truly romantic and unforgettable!
Vienna is such an enchanting city, overflowing with a spirit of culture, elegance, and sheer delight. And of course, a sprinkle of pink tutu magic! I can't wait to share more adventures with you, so make sure you come back next Wednesday for another instalment of my pink tutu travels! Until then, remember, the world is your tutu stage! ✨
Love, Emma 💖
P.S. Did you know the word "Tutu" comes from the French "Tutu"? Fancy! 😄
P.P.S I'm absolutely in love with all the ornate doorways in Vienna - they are all so beautiful and I think a tutu just might be needed! 😉
Stay connected with my pink tutu adventures: www.pink-tutu.com 💖
