Wednesday 1999-11-10
Ciao my lovely Tutu Tribe!
It's Emma, your favourite pink tutu-wearing ballerina, here from the chic, cobbled streets of Milan! My little pink heart is absolutely bursting with excitement about this trip!
Last time I checked in from the sunshine shores of Sorrento, you were all swept away by the magic of a gorgeous ballet performance. You saw me dance with the glorious dancers of the Teatro Comunale di Sorrento. Well, today I'm swapping sun-drenched views of the Amalfi Coast for the fashionable bustle of Milan.
My journey started this morning, with a glorious breakfast of crusty bread, creamy Italian yogurt, and a mountain of perfectly ripe peaches. You see, dear readers, I believe in treating myself, even on the road! Fuelled by my delicious Italian breakfast and my undying love of the pinkest pink tutu ever (I just had to pack this one – a magnificent tulle creation with shimmering diamanté accents – just for Milan!), I set off from my Sorrento hotel, clutching my trusty travel bag and the most gorgeous pink patent handbag I could find!
This trip to Milan has been on my wishlist for ages, and it was worth every penny of my hard-earned performance pay. Now, to give you a glimpse into what it's like to be a pink tutu-wearing ballerina travelling the world: it's pure joy!
Trams and Trains
My journey from Sorrento to Milan was one of those magical Italian train journeys that stays with you forever. Picture it: emerald-green fields gliding past the window, dappled sunlight on quaint villages, the soft strum of a guitar coming from the cafe carriage, and me, sat in my corner seat, humming a ballet melody to myself, utterly lost in a world of swirling pink tulle and twirling dreams.
We made a quick stop at Naples station to let the train engine cool off. While the rest of the passengers shuffled about, I took advantage of the break and indulged in the most delightful pastry – a fluffy, sugary brioche the size of my head! I devoured it in a cloud of icing sugar happiness and my new pink scarf. Did I tell you? The scarf! The most perfect pale-pink cashmere creation that somehow makes the whole outfit (that’s a light grey cotton jacket, grey leggings, and my pinkest ballet shoes with pink socks underneath!) feel impossibly chic. Even a French fashionista wouldn't bat an eyelid!
Arriving at the Milano Centrale station, my heart skipped a beat! This place oozes Parisian charm. It was so incredibly grand with all the beautiful shops! You all know I love to shop! I had to immediately find a small coffee shop that had gorgeous red-striped awnings over the outdoor seating and sip on a delicious espresso and eat a little almond cake while planning my trip around this fabulous city!
Milan’s Magical Charms
This Milan trip is all about taking in the best that Italy has to offer – art, fashion, and the glorious, glorious world of ballet, of course! I’ve already got a few dance shows planned and, naturally, I’ve done some serious research into Milan's fashion scene. You know I just can't miss out on browsing the latest trends. Oh! And I have to mention the wonderful world of the vintage boutiques. My eyes sparkle when I think of the unique, forgotten pieces I might unearth! Just imagine the perfect pink tulle ballet skirt hiding in a dusty box in a Milanese attic… my heart is practically skipping a beat with anticipation!
So, here’s the plan:
Ballet, Ballet, Ballet! Firstly, ballet! Tonight, I’m off to see La Scala's production of Romeo and Juliet. I’ve been dreaming of seeing a performance here for years, and I've already spotted a beautiful vintage-style red dress that would be perfect for this glamorous occasion!
My friends say La Scala is an institution, one of those legendary places every ballerina needs to see. It’s rumoured to have a hidden door that leads to the basement! Imagine that, a secret door in one of the most prestigious opera houses in the world! How very romantic, wouldn’t you agree? The rumours say, it leads to a wine cellar that once held one of the largest and oldest private collections of Italian wines… who knows? Maybe I’ll take a detour in search of the perfect, wine-stained pink tutu for my collection! I can just imagine how well a dusty pink tutu would look with a vintage-style, red gown. Think vintage movie star meets fairytale ballerina!
Fashion, Glorious Fashion! And talking of fashion, I have a whole list of boutiques, markets, and even vintage shops waiting to be explored. You can just imagine me – a pink-tutu clad ballet princess waltzing through Milan's famous fashion district, sipping cappuccino, admiring the window displays, and getting ready to spend all my hard-earned money! Oh, darling readers, if only you could be there with me to help me choose between a classic pink silk dress, a sparkling gold gown, or maybe, just maybe, a vintage pink tulle ballerina skirt - the most glorious tutu I’ve ever seen! The choice will be agonizing but oh so much fun!
The Glamour of Milan Tonight, after La Scala, I'm off to explore Milan by night. With my sparkly pink tote bag and pink feather boa, I plan to discover the hidden gems and experience Milan’s vibrant nightlife – from elegant bars with sparkling chandeliers and live piano music to romantic pizzerias where the pizza is as thin as a ballerina's wrist and as crispy as her favourite tulle skirt. It will be a night to remember. The Milanese say they’ll serve me a sparkling Bellini, which sounds most divine – although I’m going to try to be a good ballerina and just sip on an elegant Italian sparkling water… Maybe… unless there’s a little glass of something fizzy and pink tucked away under the table for my little pink ballerina feet to discover. After all, life is meant to be enjoyed. Isn’t that what makes every single moment in our lovely ballet world, so magical?
Finding the Pink in Milan
The whole of Milan has been painted pink since the moment I stepped off that glorious train. You might laugh, dear readers, but I really believe that everything has a touch of pink hidden somewhere within it. A delicious, cherry red Aperol Spritz becomes a rosy hue under the afternoon sun, and a gleaming bronze door to a grand palazzo becomes tinged with a subtle hint of coral! I’m on a mission to discover it all. It's not a surprise to you that, pink is truly my favourite colour. But it's more than a favourite, it’s a way of life. You see, I’ve discovered that, wearing a pink tutu is much more than a sartorial choice; it's a way of looking at the world.
Just like a dancer sees the world as a stage, I see it as a dance, and everything I do is a pirouette. A trip to a bustling street market is an enchanting pas de deux, a coffee break with my favourite café owner is a delightful duet, and even a solo stroll through a park becomes a graceful adagio – my pink tulle swirling and shimmering with each delicate step.
It's amazing how pink can truly bring out the beautiful and magical in the world around us, making everything around it so much more alive and captivating! It’s my way of saying yes to joy and saying yes to life! Every day, with a new pink-tutu moment to capture my attention.
I’m feeling incredibly lucky. My travels, my shows, and this love of pink that courses through me every single moment of the day have given me so much joy. I’m starting to realize it's more than just a colour – it’s a philosophy, a way to embrace every precious moment! I know my pink-tutu journey may seem whimsical to some, but to me, it's about inspiring everyone to find the magic in the ordinary!
* Pink Tutu Milan: Stay Tuned!*
Keep a look out next Monday for my next blog post. There is so much more I need to share! It's going to be about the most wonderful Milanese fashion market I have discovered that boasts the most elegant vintage pink gowns! They are to die for and the story behind one particular little pink satin shoe is quite an enchanting one… Stay tuned!
Ciao!
Emma
P.S: And of course, to every single one of my wonderful Tutu Tribe: remember, the world needs a little more pink. So, put on your pinkest pink tutus, grab your most magnificent ballerina shoes, and let's twirl into life together, making the world a little bit brighter with each turn, one pink step at a time.
Love,
Emma
xxx
