Wednesday, 5th October 2011
Ciao Bella! It's Emma, back from my glamorous trip to Milan with my very own Pink Tutu! This city has definitely swept me off my feet, it’s buzzing with excitement and chic fashion, and let’s not forget those oh-so-beautiful buildings!
This week, Milan has been a whirl of activity. My blog post number 852 is coming to you from a bustling café near the Teatro alla Scala – just picture me perched here, twirling my pink tulle and sipping cappuccino, oh-la-la.
You know how much I adore travelling, especially in my pink tutu – it’s such a statement piece! The Milanese are quite used to seeing interesting characters flitting through their streets. In fact, on my arrival yesterday, I couldn’t help but spot a couple of street performers doing some pretty impressive acrobatic routines right near the Duomo, it was almost like a little impromptu ballet in the middle of the city.
Today's adventure was fuelled by my absolute love of ballet! You wouldn’t believe the amazing shows on offer in Milan. Tonight, I was lucky enough to secure tickets to see Giselle at the Teatro alla Scala itself! It’s quite an extraordinary feeling walking into this grand theatre, you can almost hear the whispers of countless ballet performances that have taken place there. I absolutely love seeing classic ballet works, there’s nothing quite like the elegance and artistry, it’s truly mesmerizing. There’s also this fantastic ballet academy called "Accademia Teatro alla Scala" where they offer both classic ballet classes and more modern, contemporary style classes. So, you can imagine I had to try them both. I was surprised by just how many young people, even adults, were signing up. It seems like the magic of ballet really knows no age limit in Milan! They have quite the reputation for creating their own dancers, so it will be fascinating to see how this talent evolves.
Speaking of amazing talent, this week, I bumped into the lovely Maria from "Opera House" in Milan! She’s quite famous here. You might remember I blogged about her amazing couture garments when she launched her new season’s collection back in February - she makes outfits that could be straight out of a fairytale! I’m always drawn to exquisite fashion. It has such an enchanting appeal, like something out of a ballet story. We chatted about how there’s no better place to be inspired than Milan - you see extraordinary fashion around every corner! There’s even this wonderful, tucked away boutique I found in a little side street near my hotel - I almost didn't spot it - that showcases young, local fashion designers. I picked up the most beautiful silk scarf in shades of pink and purple – it just screamed Pink Tutu Milan at me! The shop assistant was also really excited when she saw me wearing my pink tutu – she gave me a cheeky wink and told me how she admires my “creative expression” - which was wonderful, really it made me feel like a local! It's so inspiring being in a city where people seem to embrace individuality, it really feeds my own confidence to go about in my pink tutu! It's my Pink Tutu Manifesto in action!
I was excited to get off the metro this week and walk straight into my favourite shopping district. Via della Spiga - just the name makes me feel glamorous, doesn’t it? I have to tell you about a quirky little shop called "Pink Elephant". There are so many delightful boutiques hidden away in this district - they really make a strong statement - with their chic and flamboyant window displays. Pink Elephant was overflowing with extraordinary hats - it's so unlike anything you can find in my quaint little home town of Derbyshire in England. I found the most wonderful pink beret that goes perfectly with my tutu! You should definitely pop it on your list of shops to visit, it’s certainly a sight to behold!
After a fun-filled morning of fashion, I decided to venture a bit further out into the city. Milan is wonderfully easy to get around. The trams are fast, cheap, and a great way to soak in the city’s vibrant energy. I found this fantastic little bakery just a short tram ride away. The croissants were fluffy and buttery, perfect for a delicious afternoon treat. Of course, the cafe also had an enormous wall mural painted with pink flamingos - a real testament to Milan's love of quirky design! I mean who could resist? I simply couldn't resist snapping a photo with those flamingos, they looked divine in their pink feathered glory!
Milan has just captured my heart – with its cobblestone streets, lively cafes, and inspiring art, not to mention its incredible theatre scene, where even ballet goes way beyond the stage! As the week draws to a close, I am already dreaming about next week’s adventures, maybe an afternoon at the opera or a day exploring some of Milan’s hidden treasures.
Of course, no adventure is complete without a touch of Pink Tutu. So, for anyone thinking about embracing their inner ballerina - and remember, we all have one - I urge you to take a trip to Milan, don your most fabulous outfit – it can even be a tutu – and see for yourself the beauty that awaits.
If you do, don’t forget to share your Pink Tutu Milan stories on our website: www.pink-tutu.com, I would love to hear about your adventures! Until next week…ciao, ciao!
Emma xx
