#PinkTutuMilan Wednesday 2000-08-30 ballet blog from Milano Italia

Ciao Bella!

It's me, Emma, back from the glorious city of Milan, with another dazzling blog post straight from the heart of Italy. I've been absolutely flitting about in my pink tutu like a beautiful, sparkly butterfly. And darling, you know what? I have news... Milan has fallen in love with pink! I repeat, MILAN LOVES PINK! The city, its people, even the street lamps - everything feels tinged with the most delightful shade of rose!

It’s Monday morning, but this is a very special one for the Pink Tutu Milan blog, and because we all deserve a little pink sunshine, I’m bringing you my blog post a day early – that's how much I adore Milan!

Today, my darling friends, is all about the fashion. And as I'm a woman of simple pleasures, that means my love for shoes, clothes, shopping... oh, and tutus of course. Now, my dear, you may be wondering, "What could a tutu-clad ballerina find to do in a fashion city like Milan?" Well, hold onto your hats, because I’m here to tell you that Milan has something special for everyone, including us twirling ballet babes.

I arrived last Friday, kicking off my trip in style with a rather delightful ballet performance. You know me, always a good show, always a pink tutu, always ready to embrace the graceful beauty of ballet. I wore my new shimmering lilac one with the delicate, hand-sewn silk roses and some adorable sparkly pink ballet flats. It was absolutely perfection, especially for a city like Milan that knows a thing or two about looking utterly chic.

And talking about chic, I was immediately smitten with Milan's captivating street fashion. From the beautiful vintage-inspired clothes, with those gloriously flattering flowing fabrics, to the edgy, contemporary ensembles paired with boots that would make any ballerina jealous, I felt like I had stepped onto a fashion runway! The tram ride to my apartment was like a front row seat, with all these fashionable Milanese commuters looking simply divine.

Remember the lovely new blush pink pleated tutu I got back in London? I couldn't resist slipping it on to my tram ride on Sunday. Oh, how much the Milanese adore a vibrant pink tutu. The children giggled, and some elderly ladies even pointed out the intricate sequin details of my tulle. Even a very smart looking man wearing an elegant charcoal suit offered a kind nod of approval. And of course, it inspired some spontaneous twirling on the tram. My journey turned into a ballet class!

Oh, darling, my first trip to Milan just had to involve a proper, thoroughly decadent shopping spree! And let me tell you, this city delivers when it comes to fabulous retail therapy. I could easily get lost in a maze of luxury boutiques, from Gucci and Prada to a whole world of vintage wonders.

But it wasn't all about the high-end stuff. The heart of Milan beats for fashion on all scales, and I love that. I found myself spending hours browsing the vibrant, colourful markets like the Mercato di Porta Ticinese, and the absolutely charming Porta Palazzo market. These treasure troves offer everything from vintage dresses that take you straight to a Parisian cafe scene to bespoke accessories that can transform your entire look. And darling, what is shopping without a touch of pink? Well, you can’t come to Milan without stepping into the enchanting Pinko Boutique. Oh, I think I may have found my heaven, nestled amongst the soft pink décor with exquisite Italian-made pieces, it is absolutely fabulous!

One of my highlights was a visit to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. This place is like an architectural masterpiece filled with all the luxury brands you could ever dream of. There’s something so special about browsing through beautiful pieces with the most delightful light bouncing off the grand dome. Oh, and did I mention they have the most fabulous pastries you could ever imagine? I even treated myself to some delicate pink macarons, because let's be honest, sometimes we just have to be a little decadent, right?

Now, let's talk about the food! Oh my darling, the Italian cuisine is a love affair I don’t think I’ll ever escape from. Every corner is bursting with flavours, with every little street corner brimming with charming cafes and restaurants, beckoning me in with their enchanting smells and tempting menus. I had a fantastic time sampling everything from delicious, light pasta dishes to a melt-in-your-mouth gelato – did I mention my favourite colour pink, features in some absolutely amazing ice cream flavours in Milan?!

Speaking of ice cream, I'm always searching for new and innovative places. A local in my favourite coffee shop suggested a café with its own little 'tutti fruity' ice cream parlour attached. They are famous for their fruit sorbet which was truly spectacular, served in this amazing silver dish, with little miniature chocolate spoons. Oh, my darlings, this city is heaven for those who appreciate food. It is a real culinary adventure waiting to be devoured!

As much as I love discovering fashion and fabulous food, Milan truly comes alive at night! The city transforms itself into a spectacular stage with its glamorous theatres and opera houses. Last night I had a splendid time enjoying a show at Teatro alla Scala. The moment I walked into that beautiful theatre, the excitement was palpable.

With its stunning interior adorned with gold and velvet, this is an architectural masterpiece that I'll never forget! The show I saw was ‘La Traviata’ - oh, the emotions! The intricate storytelling of tragic love and sacrifice in this story absolutely took me away. My dear, my love for the art of ballet is as strong as my love for tutus and all things pink, but watching an opera in a stunning Italian theatre made me appreciate the breadth of performance in all its glorious forms.

So, that’s it my darling friends, the end of another wonderful week in Milan! It's been a week of tutus and twirling, fabulous fashion and captivating performances, not to mention amazing food! You can already guess my next few weeks in Milan involve more ballet classes, more shopping and even more twirling. After all, why stop when you’re having this much fun! I'm planning to see the fantastic Duomo next week, it’s famous for its breathtaking architecture and soaring gothic design. The Duomo has always been a place I dreamt of seeing – it’s just the perfect blend of art and spirituality!

Milan has really blown me away. I mean, a city where everyone wears pink is something I thought only existed in my pink-hued dreams! As I leave Milan to return to England this week, I'm taking a part of Milan with me in my heart, and a new inspiration for my ballet journey. Who knows what I'll create next for my little Pink Tutu blog, but it will definitely have something pink and sparkly.

Until then, keep twirling!

Your Emma,

From Pink Tutu Milan