#PinkTutuMilan Wednesday 2014-09-10 ballet blog from Milano Italia

Ciao bella! It’s Emma here, back from the cobblestone streets and sparkling boutiques of Milan, with another slice of pink-tutu-tastic life from the heart of Italy. As you all know, Monday means Milan, and I'm bubbling over with excitement to tell you all about this week's adventures, because honestly, it's been magical!

This week’s post, just like my life, is a veritable explosion of frills, tulle, and fantastic footwear, all sprinkled with the unique charm of Milan. The sun has been shining, the trams have been buzzing (it's almost impossible to avoid those, isn’t it?!), and my inner ballerina has been spinning with a dizzying mix of fashion, theatre, and – oh yes, the ballet!

Every week I start my Milan adventures by wandering through the glorious city center. Today, I just had to capture the Parisian glamour with a sombre pink chiffon dress with ruffles on the sleeves (an absolute must!) paired with delicate kitten heels and a pearl-studded clutch bag, giving me that classic, yet utterly elegant touch.

There was just something about the way the late summer sunshine gilded the grand architecture – it made every shot for my Instagram look positively fairytale-esque. Don't worry, I'll be sharing them with you all on Friday when I post my weekly fashion highlights, so you can get your pink fix right there, if you’re ever in doubt, #pink-tutu is all you need to follow.

A Special Parisian Affair: There’s no denying, Milan has a touch of Parisian sophistication and, with this in mind, I’m starting to plan my Parisian trip – think Versailles in the fall with the red leaves falling from the trees... divine. It's an impossible dream, a tutu-tastic fantasy for now, but I’m starting to lay down the groundwork for my first performance at Versailles, the historic French Royal Palace, just like Marie Antoinette, and all in pink of course! Imagine me, dancing to Debussy with a backdrop of Baroque gardens, the entire world in pink tulle… cue swooning sigh

But first, Milan. So much to explore.

Tuesday started early! After my morning stretch and an extra scoop of frothy cappuccino, I set out on the local tram to a tiny, almost secret atelier just outside Milan. This week, I had a real “discover a hidden gem” moment and stumbled across an incredible artisan. She’s one of those incredible ladies who works with leather like silk. She made me the most divine ballet flats with little pink bows – such exquisite detail, you just had to run your fingertips over them.

From there, I hopped onto a train (love the speed and smooth ride of those sleek, sleek Italian trains, not like the old ones back in England) to catch the end of a glorious Tuscan sunset, a short journey to Tuscany is all it takes! A warm evening with an elegant, long flowy cream linen dress with a hint of pink - très chic, I thought – paired with those new shoes (just a little bit fancy, don’t you think?) made the sunset even more romantic. This time, my camera wasn’t working - just another sign that sometimes you have to soak it all in, without posting about it for once.

A touch of spirituality and a touch of ballet always brings me a touch of inner peace. This Wednesday, I went up on the roof of Milan Cathedral – you know the one, Duomo, with all those incredible, soaring spires? Absolutely stunning! You could feel the sheer size of it - every intricate detail of its magnificent architecture. There's a certain reverence about those places, especially in a city where everyone feels rushed, just a touch of peace in the midst of it all, really amazing!

Milan is known for its magnificent fashion, and to honor that this Wednesday I danced on the Duomo's terraces dressed in a magnificent, light-as-a-feather gown of pure pink chiffon, swirling like a leaf in the breeze as I performed my waltz, just for the clouds – or maybe for the people enjoying the panoramic views down below. No matter! My own private waltz, it’s always wonderful. Don't you think I make quite the vision?

And the view from the top? Magnificent, like a storybook illustration – terracotta rooftops spilling down into green parks and a smattering of spires. And of course, all illuminated by the breathtaking late summer sunset, perfect to end the day.

A ballerina always feels most at home on the stage, so it was exciting for me to see "Swingin’ Sixty", a show dedicated to the electrifying dance era of the 60s, held at Milan’s elegant Teatro della Scala – so wonderfully atmospheric, I swear the very walls resonate with the history of those wonderful ballets that took to this very stage!

The sheer volume of the performance felt so empowering. From a vibrant 1920s' cabaret to a 1950s Hollywood musical - oh those fantastic costumes, full of bright colors, flowing fabrics, feathers - they were just glorious! - with a blend of dance styles from swing to Charleston. The finale saw the whole troupe perform on stage, showcasing the dynamism and energy of each decade. It’s safe to say I had stars in my eyes, I don't think my toes have touched the ground all day, but honestly? I love those days!

I celebrated afterwards by spinning round and round with an Italian chocolate-filled croissant, watching the glittering street lights reflect in the windows of the cafe next door - that sweet treat, it had my name written on it, for sure. My favorite thing was getting to watch the dance students in Milan, you know, the next generation of ballet talent! Such beautiful expressions - a little peek behind the scenes at the incredible training regime those girls and boys put themselves through, it's all about pushing themselves for that incredible show-stopping performance! They inspired me. Every single one of them.

Ah, fashion! The one thing that puts a spring in my step, so you can imagine my delight this Friday, when I decided to venture through Milan’s incredible Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

As you know, it’s the epitome of luxury retail and a fashionistas' paradise – an absolute must-do on your trip to Milan, I assure you. There’s something so enchanting about its opulent architecture – that breathtaking glass dome - and the sense of extravagance in those beautifully presented boutiques…

Of course, no Friday Fashion Fiesta would be complete without me making a little trip to the incredible fashion house that is Versace, and to top it all off? It’s pink, obviously! The new "La Medusa" collection, it is just stunning - everything from chic silk blouses to that perfect pale pink satin evening gown that looked heavenly! Of course, a Pink Tutu blogger must be ready for the ball! You’ll never catch me without a stunning new dress!

From the glitzy glamour of the Versace boutique to a whimsical little dress shop tucked away on a tiny street, I went shopping, not just for myself but for the next dance production we’re planning at home in Derbyshire, England. Oh, the beautiful fabrics and delicate trims I saw - this little gem of a store was full of treasures. I knew instantly, with the right inspiration these fabrics and colors will be part of my stage wear – but for now, they are a top secret shushhhh! My lips are sealed on those, but I can give you a sneak peak - pink feathers, and maybe a little sparkle...

My one true love - the Ballet! And this Saturday was unforgettable. I took a morning ballet class - just a few hours of stretching and learning those amazing dance steps.

My instructor (the charmingly-named Salvatore!) put me through my paces, all for a good cause of course. The class took place in the breathtaking Palazzo Reale. Such a beautiful, elegant building - I have never danced anywhere like it. It was amazing!

You could feel the power and history within its walls as you glide across those beautiful, worn, parquet floors, just amazing. This class, like my whole weekend in Milan, has recharged me, rejuvenated my love for the artistry of movement. Every step in ballet feels like the expression of pure emotion, that’s the true beauty. We need to all have that inner ballerina moment, every once in a while, don’t you think?

My weekend was topped off by catching "Romeo & Juliet" at the Teatro dal Verme – a perfect conclusion, really! The choreography and storytelling through movement was captivating. The beautiful costumes, those soft, flowing silks and velvety reds and deep pinks - absolutely exquisite.

I spent the whole performance absolutely entranced! There's such power in dance, a powerful expression, even just watching others. It made my own tutu-filled dreams come even more true, made me want to get out on stage with those dancers - even in this little pink tutu... and share those powerful feelings with others. I cannot wait to see them at our next ballet, right here in Derbyshire. We even get a little help from a former professional ballerina, the best, absolutely fantastic!

And there it is - a week perfectly orchestrated. As I'm getting back on the train and waving goodbye to this gorgeous city (until next week!) I have to share a little secret: Milan has a way of slipping into your soul – the beautiful architecture, the passionate people, the buzz of a million stories all unfolding in the shadows of grand buildings with a touch of history whispering everywhere.

Every week in Milan makes me feel alive and, yes, a bit dreamy, it feels just like a chapter out of a well-written fairy tale, right? And of course, with a little help from my pink tutu, the one accessory that truly defines a fabulous, elegant, adventurous life… and the dream? It's still growing, like the very city itself, in all its fabulous beauty, ciao! and until next week!

#PinkTutuMilan #PinkTutu #PinkTutuDream

You can find my Milan posts at www.pink-tutu.com