Well, darlings, I'm back! Back in my favourite city in the whole wide world, Vienna! I'm not even going to lie, the train journey from Derbyshire was long, but every second was worth it. There's nothing quite like the excitement of pulling into the Hauptbahnhof with a brand new adventure awaiting. I even had a cheeky little dance in my pink tutu as I skipped out of the station, much to the amusement of some bewildered locals – they clearly haven't had the joy of living life to the full!
This week in Vienna is going to be jam-packed, as per usual! I'm starting my day off with a visit to the Kunsthistorisches Museum, a real treasure trove of art, and particularly wonderful for their amazing collection of Renaissance costumes. You wouldn't believe the amount of beautiful historical garments – corsets, gowns, even a couple of very fine, albeit slightly moth-eaten, tutus. Sadly, none of them were pink though, which was a bit of a disappointment!
Then, this evening, I'm off to see a special screening of “The Nutcracker" at the Vienna State Opera, the oldest opera house in the world. I am so excited about this, because it's going to be a whole new interpretation by a young, experimental choreographer. Now, don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore the traditional “Nutcracker”, but sometimes it's fun to see something a bit different, don't you think?
Oh, and speaking of fun, I’m planning on stopping by a few boutiques along the Kärntner Straße to see if I can find some more lovely bits and bobs to add to my wardrobe. It would be rude not to! One can never have too many pairs of fabulous ballet flats, and I’m hoping to snag a new, bright pink handbag to match my tutu, of course!
Now, you know I always love to chat about fashion and tutus, so I thought I'd share a little something special with you today! You're going to absolutely adore this, I promise.
Tutu Time: The Evolution of Elegance
As you know, dear readers, my heart beats for the tutu! There's nothing quite like that floaty, feathery feeling of twirling in a well-made, beautiful tutu. But have you ever wondered how this iconic garment came to be? Let's delve into the history of the tutu, shall we?
From its origins in the early 19th century, the tutu has evolved considerably, morphing into a myriad of styles and silhouettes. Think back to the grand tutus, those enormous bell-shaped affairs worn by ballerinas in the Romantic period. It took almost an hour for a ballerina to put them on, and the fabric was so voluminous, it would often be carried by a footman! They were truly spectacular, though not exactly practical for all those dazzling jumps and pirouettes.
As time went on, so did the evolution of ballet itself, demanding more agile movement. This led to the creation of the shorter, tighter tutu that became popular in the late 19th century and continues to be a staple of ballet today. The romantic, whimsical tutu gave way to the more classical and elegant, perfect for showing off every intricate detail of a ballerina's graceful physique.
But that’s not the end of the tutu story! In the 20th century, the tutu saw even more transformations. Modern ballet, driven by innovators like Martha Graham and Merce Cunningham, introduced unconventional tutus – more flexible, lighter and less rigid – creating even greater freedom of movement.
The tutu continues to be a symbol of femininity, elegance, and grace. But beyond its historical and artistic significance, the tutu holds a special place in my heart because it represents the joy, the freedom, and the endless possibilities that come with embracing the beauty and magic of dance.
And now, for a special treat, I’d like to tell you about my first tutu!
My First Tutu Story
Oh, darling, you have no idea how much I've looked forward to telling you about this. My very first tutu was a glorious, sunshine yellow thing. A hand-me-down from my elder cousin, Charlotte, who was just the most enchanting little ballerina you could ever imagine. (Though I am a bit envious of her, I must confess, because it wasn't a pink tutu!)
When I received it, I was ten years old, and this incredible, swirling garment practically made my world. You wouldn’t believe the number of hours I spent pirouetting in front of my bathroom mirror, pretending I was a prima ballerina at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t actually afford proper ballet lessons. I would just sneakily copy Charlotte's every move while she practiced her routine at the village hall.
It wasn't long before the tutu started getting quite the work out, with me whirling about and practicing every graceful (or not-so-graceful) move I could imagine. Oh, I dreamed of being like Charlotte, leaping and twirling my way onto a big stage, bathed in the warm, appreciative glow of the stage lights. I even wrote letters to every dance school I could find, asking if I could have a try-out, but I never heard anything back, which was a real shame. I was utterly heartbroken.
But you know, even though my dreams of a stage debut were somewhat crushed, the love of the tutu never left me. Even though my first tutu was sadly stained beyond recognition, its memory has remained ever-so-vivid, reminding me to never give up on chasing my passions and dreams.
And, on that note, I must away now! There are more fabulous tutus to be seen, more delectable treats to be enjoyed, and even more adventures waiting to be had in beautiful Vienna! I’ll keep you all updated, darling.
Oh, and a reminder: make sure to check back here every Wednesday for a new post from me about all my adventures in this magical city. And as always, do send me all your ballet-loving thoughts and wishes!
Remember, the world needs more tutus – especially pink ones!
Bisous!
Emma
