Hello my darlings! It’s Emma here, your Pink Tutu Queen, and I’m so excited to be writing to you from Vienna! Vienna! The land of waltzes, pastries, and… drumroll… an absolute plethora of beautiful ballgowns and, dare I say, a hint of tutu-like sparkle. Can you even believe it? This week I’ve been living my best ballerina life, and as always, my dearest pink tutu has been a part of every adventure.
As you all know, Wednesday is the day I dedicate to my beloved Viennese blog on the fab www.pink-tutu.com. This is my 1787th post - fancy that! – so to make it a truly memorable one, I thought we’d delve a little deeper into the ballet history of Vienna and, of course, see if I could sprinkle in a little tutu magic, because it’s not truly Pink Tutu Vienna unless there’s a tutu involved, darling!
Now, for this trip, I took the train from my hometown in Derbyshire, England. Trains are simply such a beautiful way to travel, don't you think? Especially when you get to dress up in your favourite pink tutu – you could say it makes travelling a bit more...extra! I can always be seen waltzing through the carriage in my favourite tutus, inspiring a sense of wonder and joy in fellow passengers – the conductor even started calling me Princess Ballerina, isn’t that delightful?
Upon arriving in Vienna, I immediately headed to the grand Hotel Sacher, where, believe it or not, I danced my way to the lobby in my new blush pink tutu with white lace accents. Imagine the scene - my perfect pink tutu twirling against the luxurious, grand backdrop! The guests were completely enthralled! A couple of ladies even stopped me for a chat, one a former ballerina and the other an aspiring ballerina - it was absolutely wonderful!
Speaking of enchanting encounters, later that afternoon, I stumbled upon a delightful cafe. I just had to indulge in a piece of their iconic Sachertorte (oh my, a divine mix of chocolate and apricot!) while admiring the beautiful architecture. Can you guess what I was wearing? Why, my trusty pink tutu, of course! It never fails to spark conversation! The barista told me about Vienna’s rich history with ballet and invited me to a rehearsal of a local ballet company, just off the main square! I immediately accepted, with a giddy sense of excitement and a skip in my step!
The rehearsal was pure magic. It was just incredible to witness the dedication of these talented dancers, the beauty of the movements, and, yes, you guessed it! Those perfectly poised tutus! Some were pale pink, some were lilac, others were a delicate baby pink - just heavenly! They all had the perfect flair for every move. And, after the rehearsal, I was delighted to chat with some of the dancers. They all adored my pink tutu, as did their choreographer, who was especially taken with my feather boa! He even promised me an invitation to the show on Friday - oh, I am SO excited!
Vienna’s history of dance is a veritable wonderland. The Wiener Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera), built in 1869, is renowned worldwide for its stunning architecture and performances. As soon as I got to the theatre, I was instantly struck by the breathtaking neo-Renaissance grandeur! Imagine grand marble staircases, luxurious gold trim, plush red velvet seats, and an imposing stage where legendary ballet performances once graced. I could imagine the delicate pointe shoes gliding across the stage, a whirlwind of colours and stories swirling before the mesmerized audience! I also spent a delightful morning at the Austrian National Library, which boasts a fabulous collection of historic manuscripts, paintings, and even a whole section on ballet history! Imagine, my darling, dancing through history and art - so much to discover and inspire me for the blog. Of course, I donned my most exquisite blush pink tutu and a pearl necklace for my little exploration, after all, a ballet queen must always present herself well!
Speaking of which, the one thing that Vienna is truly known for - yes, you know it, darling - is waltzing! This city is a waltzing paradise! From the legendary Strauss waltz melodies to the swirling gowns and dashing gentlemen in traditional suits at the Viennese balls, this city simply has it all! It is quite fitting then, my dears, that the ballet is so entrenched in Viennese culture. One of my favourite waltzing stops was a local waltz club. They had live music, delicious treats, and yes, a group of beautiful ballgowns dancing under chandeliers! As soon as the band started playing, the air was alive with waltzing couples, gliding and spinning with grace and beauty. A true fairytale!
While I didn’t waltz at this club - my tutu and I, unfortunately, felt a tad too bold in that crowd! – I did find another ballet-related place that is just perfect! Imagine, darling - an old, elegant coffeehouse tucked away in a cobbled courtyard, with balcony seats overlooking the charming square, serving tea, cake, and even … ballet lessons! That's right, my loves! Imagine all those beautiful waltz movements, executed in a classic ballerina manner with a beautiful pastel-coloured tutu and the tinkling sounds of a nearby fountain, as if we were characters straight out of a fairytale.
My days in Vienna are usually filled with such blissful activities, but this week I decided to go a little bit out of the box and explore Vienna's fashion scene. I headed over to a delightful little boutique tucked away on a cobblestoned lane called "La Belle Époque," a Parisian-style fashion shop specializing in delicate, flowing fabrics and charming retro designs. I fell in love with a vintage pink satin gown with black lace accents – oh my! As I tried on the gown in their mirrored dressing room, the boutique owner whispered "you would look stunning in a tutu." Well, how could I refuse? My little dance-fueled adventure this week wouldn't be complete without a beautiful dress! The silky gown is definitely going to be added to my wardrobe, just imagine it my darling, tutu with this gorgeous pink satin gown, perfection!
Later that day, I stumbled across a shop, bursting with all kinds of vintage tutus! There were tutus in every shade of pink, in satin, tulle, and chiffon – absolute tutu heaven! The woman behind the counter, with twinkling eyes and a contagious smile, confided in me about her long-held dream of opening a tutu store! As we talked about tutus - I just love that - all about the origins, history and stories! She then showed me her special collection, featuring handmade vintage tutus with incredible details. The one that caught my eye, my love, was a pale pink tutu with layers of sparkling lace and silver sequins - utterly perfect! I knew instantly I had to own it! And since a Pink Tutu Vienna post is always a journey into my ballet heart, you bet this gem of a tutu is getting its debut tonight, right here, in this beautiful city of Vienna!
And what is on the agenda today? First things first - it's time for the Viennese Philharmonic! They have an all-Strauss concert today, featuring pieces that inspired the most fabulous dances in this incredible city, darling! And naturally, I have a special tutu in store! Just a sneak peek - imagine the most magnificent pink tulle tutu with gold leaf details and a silver headpiece with pearl drops - an absolute dream come true! Oh, and did I tell you, it's custom-made from an Austrian artisan? He has the best stories about waltzing and the opera! We must all dance the waltz sometime, in a beautiful, flowing, tutu, with champagne glasses, in the beautiful, vibrant, city of Vienna!
Of course, after the show, it wouldn't be a proper Pink Tutu Vienna post without a spot of ballet inspired shopping, yes? It's practically tradition at this point! Today, we're going on a tutu hunting trip in Vienna’s enchanting vintage stores and shops. Perhaps we will discover another perfect pink tutu. Or even an original, historic, tutu to inspire me for my upcoming shows. This city is a trove of wonderful finds, so I wouldn’t miss this for the world, not when I’m here for all things pink and tutu-ful!
This truly is the life I have created for myself. Traveling the world, with a love for ballet, my pink tutu by my side, and discovering magical destinations like Vienna. Oh, what a wonderful way to live!
As for next week, dear readers, well, we’re going to explore the Parisian side of Vienna. Imagine cobblestone streets, quaint cafes, and an utterly chic street fashion scene! Who knows, we might even spot a new tutu inspiration there, as well as a new dress - I have so much shopping to do, you see!
So, that's my week, in a nutshell, full of ballet bliss and beautiful memories - oh and some stunning new wardrobe additions too! Until next week, my dear readers. Do let me know your ballet adventures! Remember, a little tutu magic goes a long way!
Stay fabulous and tutu-ful!
Much love,
Emma xxx
