Buongiorno, my darlings! It's Emma here, back from another week of whirlwind adventure in the glorious city of Milan. This week was particularly special, with a jumble of delightful discoveries and encounters that had my heart skipping a beat faster than a pirouette in a three-quarter time signature.
It's almost a year since I touched down in Milan, a city that truly embraced my Pink Tutu life. Remember the day I arrived? My luggage seemed to want to escape my grasp as I tried to haul it off the train – not my most graceful moment, I admit, especially since I was wearing a particularly buoyant, rose pink tutu. But thankfully, a friendly Italian gentleman came to my rescue, with a wink and a “Buona sera, principessa!” as he lifted my suitcase with a smile that could have rivaled the Mona Lisa's. That was the start of my Milanese love affair.
Milan is simply enchanting, my loves! Every corner, every piazza, is brimming with energy, history, and exquisite design. It's like stepping into a giant catwalk, where the most chic of creatures sashay along the cobblestone streets. And just like you can't resist an opportunity to take a spin in a fluffy tulle skirt, I can’t resist exploring every alleyway, every tucked away gem that whispers its secrets to the observant eye.
A Thursday Afternoon Symphony
This week began on a Thursday, a day perfectly suited for indulging in the artistic delights that Milan offers. The scent of jasmine hung in the air, mingling with the aroma of freshly brewed espresso and the gentle hum of the tram lines, weaving their way through the city’s pulsating heart. It’s like a beautiful ballet score – every city noise playing its part.
My afternoon was spent at the Teatro alla Scala, the crown jewel of Milanese culture. Now, I may not be a theatre critic (although perhaps I should think about adding it to my resume - "Dance critic/fashion consultant/travel blogger...theatre critic"? - it does have a certain ring to it!), but let me tell you, the grandeur of the theatre took my breath away.
The walls were adorned with gilded frames showcasing masterpieces that transported me through centuries of theatrical brilliance. And the stage... oh, the stage! A place of magic and dreams, ready to welcome a symphony of performers ready to tell their stories. The sheer grandeur of it made me want to twirl and leap onto the stage in my own ballet shoes and tulle - a little dream for another day perhaps?
But tonight was the real star of the show, an operatic performance of "Tosca". Oh, the drama, the romance, the soaring voices... I was lost in a world of unfolding passions, my heart melting at the melancholic melodies and soaring sopranos. The whole evening felt like a dream, one that I would replay in my head long after I left the theatre. Milan certainly knows how to hold an audience!
Pink-tutu-fying My Wardrobe
Every week here in Milan has to involve some retail therapy, don’t you agree? This city is simply brimming with couture dreams and dazzling delights for fashion enthusiasts, and this week was no exception.
I can’t help myself when I'm presented with such a wealth of choice – I’m a sucker for anything that catches my eye, and the beautifully decorated storefronts with mannequins wearing gorgeous outfits? They are just begging me to go inside!
I must admit, my trip to Milan this week felt a little bit more decadent than usual. I found myself walking into some seriously chic shops on Via Monte Napoleone, a haven for the luxury brands. Yes, my heart did skip a beat when I walked past those recognisable signs - Prada, Gucci, Armani, to name just a few! My favourite designer boutiques, they literally brought a smile to my face, made it look as if my heart were actually skipping to a waltz rhythm.
Of course, I had to resist a little bit, and focused instead on finding more independent designer gems, pieces that ooze with Italian charm, style and craftsmanship - beautiful leather bags and handbags (I may have picked up a rather fabulous vintage clutch from a small, family-run store, which is going to make its way back to England with me) and some truly lovely fabrics, which have given me an excellent idea for a brand-new tutu design (pink, of course!) that I am going to call “Milanese Moonlight”!
But what's shopping without the company of friends, you say? Absolutely. And my dear friend Amelia (you might recognise her as the designer of my fantastic handmade pink tutus – remember the ‘Garden Party' tutu I wore last month for my photoshoot?) flew in from Derbyshire for the weekend, bringing a sprinkle of home with her. We’ve known each other since we were in ballet class together in our younger days, a shared love of ballet, beautiful clothing and laughter linking us forever.
Now, Amelia may be a design queen but when it comes to picking an outfit to go shopping in, she always follows my advice (although she will pretend to ignore me, and then, miraculously, I notice that she has magically chosen a beautifully stylish outfit… a coincidence, surely!?). We enjoyed our lunch together at Bar Luce, a fantastic cafe-bar designed by Wes Anderson - I know, how perfect!
You can almost imagine the place, the rich colours, vintage furniture, checkerboard floors – the epitome of sophisticated vintage glam - perfect for taking pictures of our ballet-themed outfit changes. After lunch, I whisked Amelia away to the nearby department stores for some much needed retail therapy. It wasn't all shopping, of course – we savored a few scoops of the most heavenly pistachio gelato I’ve ever tasted at a little, family-run gelato shop, watching the world go by.
Amelia had to return to Derbyshire on Saturday evening. I found myself walking along the canals that cut through the city with my new, slightly overstuffed shopping bag, the beautiful scent of blooming wisteria intoxicating the air.
Saturday Nights for the Ballet
The highlight of my week, however, came on Saturday evening. An evening spent dancing, yes, but this time in the company of the greatest ballerinas and ballerinos! This evening found me perched on a velvety, crimson velvet seat at the Teatro Nuovo, a magnificent venue for an intimate ballet performance.
The stage lit up like a constellation of diamonds, as the first dancer stepped onto the stage. They began their pas de bourree with effortless elegance, weaving a story with every step, a poem expressed in body language.
You see, this was no ordinary ballet performance – this was a special show, featuring dancers from the Accademia Teatro alla Scala, a renowned institution that's been training world-class ballerinas and ballerinos for decades. Each dancer embodied the very essence of passion and grace - the dedication and talent these dancers display is quite literally inspiring, making me feel like I could simply float off into the air, a true dancer’s high.
I found myself wanting to stand on the seat to applaud the brilliance and skill on display! The intricate steps and soaring leaps - so full of life, energy, and raw passion - left me captivated, utterly entranced by their talent.
You know I can't leave a ballet without finding time to practice some pirouettes and fouettes with my pink tutu! And to my surprise, a group of little ballerinas approached me in their lovely tulle tutus and offered to show me some moves they had learnt! It was so delightful and I felt like my own Tutu Princess dream was being shared and continued by these enthusiastic little ballerinas, each one a tiny twinkling star with a passion for dance as bright as my love for all things pink!
It was the perfect way to end a spectacular weekend, the energy buzzing with inspiration.
A Weekend in Pink-Tutu Paradise
I couldn’t leave you without sharing my adventures in Milan with you, my darlings, so here are some of the places and activities that caught my attention this week:
Museo del Novecento: A stunning contemporary art museum that will leave you wondering what's next in the world of art, with pieces that pushed boundaries and challenged perceptions.
Fondazione Prada: A museum in an unexpected location - an old distillery transformed into a wonderland of art! It was one of those “pinch me I'm dreaming” moments where art, architecture and history come together to form an absolutely stunning visual feast. It's hard not to walk away inspired and wanting to learn more.
The canals of Navigli: Milan may be known for its fashionable and cultural heritage, but it has a hidden charm too! The canals of Navigli are a tranquil oasis, a chance to escape the city’s bustle for a little while, to relax and admire the serene beauty. The waterways wind their way past the 16th century “Leonardo da Vinci” bridge. A perfect place to stroll, enjoy an al fresco coffee and people-watch - the ultimate relaxation therapy.
More adventures await!
Now, my darlings, the sound of the Milanese tram awaits - my faithful carriage for transporting me to yet another week full of exciting discoveries, fashion-filled escapades and ballet brilliance. Milan is a city that never sleeps and keeps my senses engaged and inspired. The next week promises a plethora of new experiences to be had.
Don’t forget to check in here every week, for more Pink Tutu Adventures! I love to hear from you – tell me what your dream fashion escapade would be in the comments below! And remember, darlings, never be afraid to express yourselves in your own beautiful ways – put on that pink tutu and let the world see your inner sparkle! See you next week, my loves.
Ciao for now! Emma xo
