Guten Tag, darlings!
It's Emma here, your very own Pink Tutu Princess, reporting live from Vienna!
The air here is thick with history, and not just any history, my lovelies, Ballet History! We're talking Vienna, the birthplace of the Waltz, home to Strauss, a city that breathes, sleeps, and dances ballet! My tutus are positively twirling with excitement!
You know me, always ready to add a splash of pink to the world. And this week, oh, darling, it's been a pink-tastic whirlwind!
Train Journey Magic
Let's rewind a bit, shall we? This week's adventure began on a delightful train ride, a proper old-fashioned train, chugging along the beautiful countryside. You know me, I adore train journeys, and this one didn't disappoint! My new lavender-hued, tulle-tiered tutu paired perfectly with the charming, floral print dress I picked up in Innsbruck.
Oh, how I adore train travel! You just can't beat the sense of romantic adventure. I do hope we get to keep our trains in the UK. They're truly something special.
A Parisian Chic Moment in Vienna
Upon arrival in Vienna, I went straight for a little boutique on a cobblestoned side street, full of designer delights, but, of course, my favourite piece? A vintage, powder pink tutu, fit for a Vienna waltz! This little number is perfect for those intimate ballet performances where elegance and understated charm are called for. It reminded me so much of a Parisien Boutique!
The Majesty of The Vienna State Opera
Now, this was the highlight of the week. You all know how much I adore the Vienna State Opera, I was completely smitten the moment I saw it, grand and beautiful, a testament to Vienna’s artistic soul. And inside, well, it was pure magic!
I saw a stunning performance of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake - what else, darlings? - the costumes were utterly breath-taking, the ballerinas soared, the music soared, the tutus... oh, those tutus, absolutely magnificent! It really took me back to the days of Giselle and La Sylphide and The Sleeping Beauty... You know how much I love to dive deep into ballet history. There's truly something very special about the way these classics just never seem to fade away, they have such a powerful effect, such timeless elegance. They always transport me right back to that beautiful time and place when Romantic ballet was still in its heyday.
And the costumes! Oh, darlings, the costumes. We're talking layers upon layers of silk and tulle, exquisite colours and patterns... you know how much I adore those beautifully detailed Romantic ballet costumes - such delicate details... they're just the perfect expression of what this incredible era of dance is all about. And there's a reason they continue to inspire to this day! I've been collecting books, magazine articles and photos on these famous and timeless ballets and I was completely in awe of these performances as they came to life.
The Art of the Ballet Shoe
I love to shop for the perfect ballet shoe for every occasion - the colour must perfectly match my tutus! It has to be soft leather for those long rehearsals - comfort and endurance is paramount, I don't think I've ever actually found a comfortable ballet shoe - they seem to take years to get right - that breaking in period can really get your toesies complaining - so the search never ends! And this week, my hunt led me to a charming little boutique near the Vienna State Opera where I found an absolute treasure - a pair of satin slippers in a blush-pink hue - just perfect for " Swan Lake!"
I love finding treasures in tiny little boutiques off the beaten track! And don't forget that one can’t forget the impact a well-chosen pointe shoe has on one's overall ballet performance.
A Viennese Delight: The "Pink Tutu" Cake
Did you know they make a cake here, a Viennese Delicacy, specifically for me? Well, no, it's not "pink tutu" cake as far as I know, although I’m sure it's not a stretch of the imagination as my tutus have become a pretty well known thing. The cake is actually " Sachertorte", delicious layers of dark chocolate sponge and apricot jam, frosted in an intensely glossy chocolate fondant - just a heavenly symphony of flavours, my lovelies! This little sweet treat was just the thing to revive me after my ballet class at the prestigious Vienna Ballet Academy.
I have been dancing my entire life! Of course, the dream is to be the Prima Ballerina one day - the best ballerina in the whole world! I still have many things to learn and many skills to perfect but I'm working very hard, getting myself in top shape. But being a ballerina is more than just dancing in beautiful tutus and doing lots of twirling and plies.
I've made lots of new friends here at the Academy. You should see these young talented students - it really brings a tear to the eye, their determination and desire to follow in the footsteps of the most iconic dancers of the 20th century! It’s an honour to share the same stage at times with dancers who truly respect this art form and I always try to give something back to the dance world, that’s why I donate a percentage of my earnings to Ballet Academies, and it helps keep the world spinning in its pink tutus.
Vienna's Ballet Streets
We all know that Vienna is known for it's music and opera and dancing but this week, I was able to experience a special ballet-themed side street filled with boutique dance stores and even a cafe with its own stage area where guests are welcome to put on a tutu, tap their toes to waltz tunes and enjoy some authentic Austrian cuisine. It was pure pink delight! I felt like a ballerina, not on a stage, but wandering around this little slice of ballet magic.
Sharing the Pink Tutu Love
Now, we all know the real purpose here, darling - to spread the Pink Tutu love far and wide. And what better place to do it than in Vienna? I have had so many wonderful encounters this week with people who absolutely love the concept. One little girl actually had a "pink tutu" dress that she wore for a school dance recital. It warmed my heart to see that, darling! My tutus really are spreading the pink joy and joy of dance!
The real aim of the Pink Tutu Princess is to ensure everyone has a go - give it a try! Be courageous - have the confidence to twirl and spin and embrace the world! And why not? The tutu is, after all, an essential part of the ballerina's repertoire - it allows you to glide with an elegance and grace like no other dancewear garment in the world - It really does help to achieve that timeless magic that inspires dancers to express the ultimate language of the soul! It allows us to step out into the world with confidence!
I'm looking forward to another fun week filled with more amazing tutus, sparkling shows, fabulous finds, and plenty of delicious chocolate cake! Remember my lovelies, spread the pink tutu love.
See you all next Wednesday!
With Love and Twirls,
Emma
The Pink Tutu Princess
P.S Do join me for a grand tour on the beautiful "Fiaker" - these traditional Viennese horse-drawn carriages will make your romantic ballet dreams come true! And for some true cultural excitement and to experience a more traditional side of this enchanting city the world renowned Vienna Opera Ball, takes place at the beginning of May, where you'll witness waltzing ladies in elaborate gowns and dashing gentlemen in formal wear and feel a little bit like a princess at a ball. Just like something out of Cinderella - you've got to come here in May!
P.P.S Don’t forget to visit the Albertina Museum with it's collection of 1400 costumes spanning centuries!
P.P.P.S The Wiener Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera), will be celebrating a year-long jubilee in honour of Richard Wagner, the famous German composer, next month - this will be a big event here! And in June the world renowned Salzburg Festival will also be taking place and we can't wait for it!
