Darling readers,
It's Wednesday again, and you know what that means? Time for a new Pink Tutu World post! 💅💃
This week, I'm bursting with excitement. You see, I've just returned from the most fabulous intergalactic trip, and I simply must share the deets!
My spaceship, "The Twirling Comet", whisked me off to a little-known planet called…wait for it…Planet Earth! 🌎 You see, I had always wanted to visit this famous little blue sphere – my ancestral home, after all, since my great, great, great grandmother was born in a place called Derbyshire in England. But the travel wasn't the reason for my visit. This trip was all about ballet.
Imagine, my loves, an entire planet devoted to the art of ballet! And not just any ballet, but a wonderfully eclectic mix of contemporary, classical, and experimental forms, all beautifully intertwined with unique cultures. You can imagine the delight!
After a splendid touchdown, I naturally headed for the piece de resistance - the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, Russia. Oh, what an amazing venue! I must tell you about it. Can you imagine this magnificent theatre built in the shape of a giant horse shoe? You can find it in the heart of the city, close to Red Square, with the grandest foyer adorned with columns and opulent art. Honestly, you wouldn’t find a prettier or grander building for watching ballet anywhere on earth! 🩰
Let's just say, I felt absolutely divine stepping inside! My beautiful pink tutu felt perfectly at home against the red velvet backdrop and rich chandeliers.
My heart was practically bursting out of my sequined chest as I took my seat, waiting for the curtains to open. They were playing 'Swan Lake', which you may recognise from my earlier blogs - I'm particularly partial to it! You could have heard a pin drop in that vast, grand theatre, as the opening notes began and Tchaikovsky’s music filled the air, creating an intoxicating blend of emotion and excitement.
The dancers? Absolutely mesmerising! The female lead was particularly divine in her perfectly-fitted tutu, which gracefully swayed as she pirouetted with an ethereal grace. My heart skipped a beat during the second act when they introduced the charming Prince. What a perfect portrayal! And their choreography? The pièce de résistance! Their movements, graceful and delicate yet powerful and passionate, were truly a masterpiece, a perfect testament to the art of ballet.
Of course, I wasn't just glued to the stage - after all, there were other equally amazing things to explore in Moscow! I spent the afternoon browsing at the most darling little vintage clothing shop, 'Little Princess'. It was tucked away on a cobbled street near the Kremlin and full to the brim with exquisitely vintage lace, satins, silks and sequins – and a good handful of pink, of course.
Can you believe it, darling readers? I bought four gorgeous vintage tutus! One is a shimmering ivory number with delicate, flowing lace that would look positively enchanting in any grand performance. The second is a scarlet tutu, perfect for dramatic poses and a powerful stage presence, complete with flowing frills for dramatic flourishes. The third is an entirely exquisite number with a multitude of layers of powder-blue tulle, with soft lilac ribbons trailing at the ends – ideal for something dream-like, magical, and simply exquisite. And the fourth, my absolute favourite? Well, it's clearly a beautiful vibrant shade of pink, of course! I can't wait to show you all in a special blog post dedicated to my latest haul, complete with a step-by-step outfit guide, to help you find the perfect tutus to match your unique, inner ballerina.
Now, who wants to visit a Ballet Museum? Yes? Good, me too!
You see, my darling readers, I simply cannot resist a little cultural exploration!
After my Moscow adventures, my next stop was the heart of Europe, to take in the magical allure of Vienna, Austria! There, I fell head over heels for the Vienna State Opera - not to be confused with the Vienna Opera House, darling, although that is perfectly wonderful too! Both are glorious. The State Opera's intricate design was a perfect reflection of the ballet tradition here, and the intricate patterns on the ceiling alone were enough to set my imagination soaring!
And then, as any ballerina should, I discovered the Museum of Music. My oh my, it's full of captivating ballet artifacts – costume sketches, personal letters of the dancers and composers from the late 18th to the early 19th centuries, even original ballet slippers from ballerinas of yore! It was pure enchantment! I bought a magnificent porcelain ballerina doll as a souvenir - you just wait until I post a picture on the Pink Tutu World Instagram, she's just divine. I also found a gorgeous book about the history of the tutu, complete with stunning photographs and intricate drawings. Can you imagine? They actually wear these extravagant dresses when they are doing their pirouettes! I wouldn't dare wear so much tulle for that – that takes incredible control, strength and balance!
Next on my list: the Vienna State Ballet. I just had to see Carmen, one of the most stunning ballets I’ve seen in my travels so far! This particular version is full of fire, the kind of ballet that has a raw beauty that draws you in!
But of course, no visit to Europe could be complete without a Parisian adventure! I just love Paris, with its romantic cobbled streets, beautiful architecture, chic boutiques, and of course - The Palais Garnier.
Now, let's take a peek back to the beautiful building itself. A magnificent construction of glistening marble and glittering golden interiors, its a masterpiece! You simply can't visit Paris without visiting this historic and ornate venue – the perfect place for a grand, exquisite and memorable evening of ballet, which I just knew I had to experience. I chose the ballet 'Giselle' and the entire ballet company impressed me with their dazzling performances. It really did transport me to another time!
My little pink tutu went through quite the Parisian transformation! I bought a fabulous Parisian scarf for an added touch of romance and, after exploring the beautiful avenues of Paris and shopping for vintage jewellery in the bohemian Left Bank, I indulged in the best crepe with Nutella and strawberries ever.
My Parisian adventure took me from a Parisian performance to the elegant beauty of the Place de la Concorde and a Parisian fashion designer, called Mimi. I was searching for some beautiful silk scarves, with Parisian lace and beads as a special addition for my 'Pink Tutu World' costumes. Well, I bought a handful – just in case you were wondering. They were just too wonderful, I couldn't leave them in the boutique!
This fabulous Parisian escapade also gave me time for a ballet class at the Opera National de Paris. Now, I know what you’re thinking – is a ballot class the ultimate way to immerse yourself in a foreign culture? My response? It is a perfect way to truly delve into the spirit of ballet. I couldn't leave this place without the Parisian style of dancing. What’s more? the instructors were simply exquisite, and most important – they really knew what a good barre position looked like! It felt so fabulous learning with other professional dancers - I even made a new best friend from the Ukraine! You see, she loves the colour pink just as much as I do – how perfect is that?
What else can I tell you? Planet Earth had me completely enchanted with its ballet culture. I returned home to my spaceship with a happy sigh, carrying memories and adventures that I will cherish forever. I've already started brainstorming some future ballet blog posts inspired by my travels to Planet Earth. Stay tuned for new designs, my darling readers! And most important, stay fabulous.
Love,
Emma,
x
