Hello, my darling tutu-loving friends! It's Wednesday, and that means another glorious edition of my Vienna adventures from yours truly, Emma, the pink tutu princess! This week, my dears, has been utterly fabulous, a whirlwind of Viennese charm, delicious food, and of course, enough tulle to make even the most jaded fashionista swoon.
I must confess, this past week has been particularly schön. I am in love with Vienna! I just know it's my type of place. There is such a sense of history here, of grandeur, a palpable atmosphere of the beautiful things in life that are more than just superficial. There’s a regal charm to the whole city - like an exquisite dollhouse with intricate details and delicate touches. Imagine, darling, that you are a tiny porcelain doll being carefully placed into a glorious ballroom of glittering chandeliers, swirling music, and beautiful people in silks and lace, ready for an elegant waltz. Vienna, my loves, truly is like that.
And to kick off my journey in this enchanting city, I decided to treat myself to something rather special - a luxurious train ride straight from Derbyshire! It's no secret that I'm utterly besotted with the railways - there's something incredibly romantic and exciting about journeying by train, a sense of elegant time travel that puts me in the most exquisite mood. As the countryside slipped away from me, I let my mind drift back to a time when railways were the pinnacle of fashionable travel, filled with exquisite outfits, high tea in elegant carriages, and just the right amount of charming gossip.
I couldn't help but picture myself, in my signature pink tutu of course, being whisked away in one of those glamorous, first-class carriages, chatting with a dashing Lord on my way to some grand soirée in the heart of the city. (I may or may not have snuck in a cheeky rehearsal of the ‘Dying Swan’ ballet, all the while maintaining the grace and elegance befitting a ballerina on the move. )
Speaking of elegant journeys, my lovely Vienna adventures continued with an incredible horse-drawn carriage ride through the heart of the city! Just imagine, my dears, a beautiful, gleaming horse adorned with intricate silver harness, tugged at the reins of a plush coach with floral embellishments and gleaming brass fixtures, and inside you find yours truly, all twirling and delight in a glorious pink tulle tutu! It was pure Vienna fairy-tale bliss.
And oh my! Vienna is brimming with history, my darling, especially when it comes to ballet! The Vienna State Opera, where I spent a truly breathtaking evening recently, is practically a monument to the glorious past of ballet itself.
To experience the opulent grandness of that historic theatre - it’s a feast for the senses - every intricate detail carefully crafted, every delicate design a symphony of artistry! And I've spent countless hours wandering around this magical space, exploring its incredible history, picturing all those extraordinary ballet stars from centuries ago twirling their way through its hallowed halls. To feel that history swirling around me, to be in such a historic place for such a magical art, really made me feel that ballet and its legacy are something absolutely extraordinary!
I've also been spending time, as a dedicated tutu enthusiast, immersing myself in the world of tutu history, visiting exhibitions, and browsing archives. Did you know that in Vienna, there were certain ‘tutu regulations’ back in the day? It is apparently true - in Vienna, around 1800, ballet dancers were supposed to have tutus made of fabric from only certain areas in the city, as the quality of fabric from those particular areas met the specific demands of their theatrical outfits! I do love a little Parisian flair in my ballet attire, but I must admit that I don't believe I would have quite appreciated being forced to adhere to certain regions for my tulle in Vienna. Oh dear! Perhaps a slightly stricter world back then, compared to our present tutu fashion choices.
On the more modern front, there’s a vibrant street ballet scene here in Vienna, with pop-up performances in squares and alleyways - it's a fantastic way to discover new talent, and the spontaneity and energy are just infectious. I’ve even found some talented street dancers with their own, unique, and fabulously modern tutu variations! Their creations are so inspirational – so much more than just fabric and tulle. They're mini-pieces of artistic self-expression. The creative, experimental attitude is so captivating, it's hard not to get swept up in the sheer joy of it.
And speaking of joy, I had to indulge myself in some seriously fun, glamorous shopping, dear! The streets of Vienna, filled with stunning architecture, intricate windows, and delightful boutiques, have been an absolute wonderland for a ballet-obsessed girl like me. From vintage silk shops and boutique fashion designers to high-end luxury stores where I tried on exquisite pieces of delicate jewellery that felt just like jewels, my time spent shopping has been incredibly inspiring, so chic and oh so trendy. Vienna, it appears, is a fashionista's dream!
There are fashion treasures just waiting to be found on every street corner - from exquisitely beaded, sequined and feathered headbands that would be the perfect touch for any theatrical outing to the most stylish scarves to tie into chic ballerina buns, to some extraordinary pink sequined shoes - and my absolute favourite find, a tiny, utterly enchanting vintage brooch of a pink ballerina doll. I had to get it – it felt like a little piece of Vienna had slipped into my collection and its delicate presence, so full of charm, makes it utterly irresistible.
I do love Vienna.
It's time to wind up another fabulous Vienna post. But before I go, darling, just remember – let’s spread the joy of tutus far and wide! So put on your brightest pink tutu, twirl with confidence, and spread a little ballerina magic wherever you go!
Until next time my loves! Remember: Keep those pink tutus swirling, dear!
P.S - Follow my Pink Tutu journey on www.pink-tutu.com for even more sparkly adventures!
