Ciao bella! 👋 Emma here, ready to bring you a delightful dose of Milan, a city that practically begs to be twirled in. 🩰
I arrived last night, just in time to see the last sliver of sunset painting the Duomo's rooftops in a fiery orange glow. It was truly breathtaking, and reminded me that beauty, just like a perfectly executed pirouette, is a fleeting thing best savoured in the moment.
This week, Milan is awash with energy, excitement, and… a little bit of chaos, which is all part of the city's charming personality. There are art exhibitions popping up everywhere, from hidden courtyards to palatial galleries, and the streets are brimming with stylish Milanese locals, all sporting that signature Italian flair for chic. I’ve already found some treasures – a vintage pearl necklace in a little shop tucked away down a narrow side street, and a pair of exquisite lavender gloves that whisper of whispered secrets and clandestine meetings. 😉
Speaking of whispers, the air itself seems to buzz with the thrill of upcoming fashion shows. The legendary Fashion Week is just around the corner, and even though my little pink tutu might be a tad too much for the front row, I'm thrilled to be in the thick of things! It's almost like I've stepped into one of my favourite ballet productions, but instead of dancers, the world is filled with captivating designs. ✨ I imagine there will be plenty of tulle, embroidery, and, of course, a dash of pink thrown into the mix.
Ballet by Tram & TrainIt seems every journey here is an adventure! Yesterday I decided to travel across Milan via the tram – a fabulous vintage contraption with wooden benches and stained glass windows. I was so mesmerized by the view, watching the city flit past in a kaleidoscope of vibrant colours, I barely noticed my stop approaching. Fortunately, my Italian is improving, and I managed to charm my way onto another tram. 😂
Later, I hopped on a train to Verona. Oh, how I adore the journey! It takes you past rolling hills carpeted in vineyards, ancient villages perched atop distant mountains, and sparkling turquoise lakes that seem to mirror the heavens above. I’ve decided my next travel accessory must be a tutu with built-in train tracks, just for these unforgettable views. I'll call it my "Tutu Treno"!
And speaking of tutus...
While Verona may be best known for Romeo and Juliet, I discovered an unexpected ballet gem hidden amongst the cobblestone streets and quaint piazzas: a small but absolutely delightful ballet school! They call it "La Danse Divine" - what a beautiful name, isn’t it?
It seems even Shakespeare's love story inspires creativity through the art of dance. It's the perfect setting for a beautiful ballet story. I imagine the Juliet dancers floating on stage in ethereal gowns, a symphony of grace and sorrow. And the Romeo dancers, strong and confident, but secretly aching for love's embrace. It is, of course, all conjecture, but just imagining it is transporting!
My afternoon at La Danse Divine was simply heavenly. The students were such a delightful group, filled with passion and joy, and their teacher – what an inspiring soul! He is one of those rare people who embodies the magic of ballet - all fluidity and elegance, with just the right dose of encouragement to make every student believe they can reach for the stars. You could just see how he truly believed in each one of them! 💫
We had a short class - the "pirouettes-in-pink" warm up I've been working on seemed to go down well, and the girls enjoyed my signature "tutu twist." (I know I’ve said this before, but if I can spread the pink tutu gospel even just a little bit, it all feels worth it!) I couldn't resist sharing some of my favourite ballet stretches. And I couldn't have resisted a little spontaneous ballet duet with one of the talented young dancers. (Okay, maybe there were two spontaneous duets! And an impromptu pas de deux, but that’s between me and my tutu.🤫 )
Afterwards, we sat in their garden sipping on fragrant, pink lemonade (of course! 🌸 ) while the afternoon sun danced on our faces, turning my skin into the same shade as my tutu! A perfect moment.
And speaking of moments…
I spent the last couple of hours walking around Verona, allowing the enchanting city to steal my heart away once more. I’ve never been anywhere where history whispers so intimately in your ear! From the Roman amphitheater to the grand Palazzo della Ragione, from the bustling streets to the quaint cobblestone corners, it seems Verona itself is a ballet – a captivating blend of strength and grace, of tragedy and triumph, a beautiful dance of life woven through time.
Oh, Verona, how I love you! 🥰 And, Milan, you are such a wonderfully dazzling dance partner. There’s something exhilarating about finding beauty everywhere you look. My diary is filled with travel sketches and ballerina notes and of course – pink tutu designs. I'm so glad you are all joining me on this adventure.
What’s your favourite memory of travelling abroad? ✈️🌎 Share in the comments!
Until next week… Ciao for now!
***It’s Monday, time for a fresh dose of Milan! And just in case you’re feeling lost in the maze of fashion week excitement, let me be your guide with a little Pink Tutu wisdom. 😉 *
Pink Tutu Milan: Monday 2011-06-26 - Post #837Hello dearies, it's me again, your favourite pink-clad ballet enthusiast – ready to bring you a little taste of Milan, my beloved city of enchantment!
Last week was whirlwind! I spent most of it dashing between Milan’s ballet studios, trying out different classes – a ballet bonanza! There’s a very different energy to each one, and that’s one of the reasons why I find it so captivating – I can never be quite sure what I’m going to find. And the fun part is trying to find the hidden gems.
Milan really does feel like an intricate ballet production, with beautiful people, beautiful buildings and of course – beautiful, intricate designs – what a privilege it is to be amongst such talented and dedicated creatives. 🩰
This week however, the rhythm is about to change. The grand dame of the fashion world is taking center stage - that’s right – it’s Milan Fashion Week! Oh, I just adore it! From the catwalk strut to the fashion-filled streets – Milan will be abuzz with design energy, style icons, and the hum of anticipation as each brand unveils its new collections.
The very air in this city thrum with creativity, excitement and glamour, but just like a true ballet ballerina, I am always alert, on point and ready for any movement, even a spontaneous pirouette – and that, my loves, is a perfect way to prepare for a week of non-stop action, elegance and most of all – fashion magic!✨
For the first time ever, I will be participating in a fashion-related activity: a backstage tour of the backstage fashion scene. And guess what, I am absolutely beyond excited. The highlight for me? Getting to spend time with the incredible, skilled fashion professionals, watching the shows from behind the scenes. If my inner tutu goddess is good, I may even find a spot in a few designer studios - where do I start even talking about the thrill of creating fashion!
But before I tell you all about my behind-the-scenes adventures - a confession, I confess… my trip is more than a ballet retreat. I have also managed to weave in a visit to another city, an extraordinary, beautiful destination for the ultimate travel dream come true. Think breathtaking scenery, captivating art and history… can you guess where I’m going? 😉
The pink tutu diaries.There was a ballet performance in Derbyshire last week that helped finance my Milan adventure! I was a Sugarplum fairy for the “Nutcracker”. 🩰✨ I always love the energy from these special occasions! It always reminds me that ballet, much like a pink tutu, is something special and so meaningful.
I always get excited when I find some vintage treasures – I bought some gorgeous pieces for the show – including an authentic tutu – well a rather lovely tutu inspired by vintage design. It looked pretty good on stage… and I may have snuck out in it for a photo in the grounds. 😈
The “pink tutu diaries” as I’m starting to call them - are getting bigger and bolder - this week I plan on showing you just a little bit of Milan fashion magic and I will show you what you can do in Milan if you’re a ballet fanatic like myself! Oh, how I love exploring! 🗺️
I hope you'll come along with me on my adventures this week! See you on the next pink-tutu filled blog!
Ciao! 👋 💖
