#1068
Hello, my dearest Tutu Tribe!
The sun is shining and I'm sitting here in my little Milan apartment, sipping cappuccino and nibbling a buttery croissant. Oh, the joys of being in Italy! 🇮🇹 I’ve got a beautiful pink tutu on today, of course, and my pink silk scarf is flowing beautifully in the breeze that’s whipping through the open window. It’s a glorious day to be alive – a perfect day for a ballet blog post!
Speaking of glorious, this week in Milan has been just that. I can’t get over how much I love this city – it’s brimming with beauty and sophistication. From the majestic Duomo to the charming little side streets filled with bustling cafes and boutique shops, I just want to wander and soak it all in.
But my week has been far from leisurely. I've been performing, dancing, shopping, sightseeing…the list goes on!
Tuesday, 24th November – Dancing My Heart Out at the Teatro alla Scala
I couldn't let my trip to Milan go by without experiencing the magic of the Teatro alla Scala. This beautiful opera house is legendary – a must-see for any ballet lover. It’s quite incredible to know that the likes of Stravinsky, Verdi, and Toscanini have all performed within those walls.
Yesterday, I saw a stunning performance of "Giselle", a ballet classic that never fails to captivate me. The costumes were dazzling, the dancers were graceful, and the story…well, I won't spoil it for you! But let me tell you, I had tears in my eyes by the end. I think everyone in the theatre did.
It was one of those magical performances that truly transports you, where the music takes hold of you and the artistry leaves you speechless. Even sitting high up in the balcony, the experience was powerful.
I spent a good hour afterwards reminiscing over the show with my fellow tutu-clad friend, Maria. We shared our favourite moments and the intricate steps we loved, and marveled at the dancers’ exquisite artistry. You really need to experience this special atmosphere at least once in your life. It truly feels as though you're walking through a fairytale.
Wednesday, 25th November – Taking a Ballet Class in a Little Piazza
There’s nothing like starting the day with a ballet class. In the centre of Milan, near the Duomo, tucked away on a peaceful little Piazza, there’s an old, charming studio. I discovered it last week, thanks to some local ballet-loving friends, and since then, it's become a staple for my Wednesday mornings.
The class is small – just four of us today, including myself, but it's intimate and we each receive personalised attention from the instructor. The sun streams through the large arched windows, illuminating the elegant old studio space, which is a little on the worn side. It feels a little bit like being in a forgotten corner of history, but in the best way possible. There are faded posters of dancers, with the names worn away by the years, which really sets the scene for some magical ballet practice.
It’s wonderful to dance under the warm sun and feel the rhythm of the music fill my entire body. It makes me feel so connected to the history of dance. Today, my focus was on improving my pliés, so the studio floor was a blur of pink tutus for the whole hour. But who cares?! The other ballerinas there don't seem to mind! I even encouraged one shy young ballerina to join me in a pink tutu. There's nothing quite like sharing the passion of dance with others, especially when everyone is wearing pink tutus, of course. It makes me smile!
Thursday, 26th November - Searching for the Perfect Pink Ensemble
Shopping in Milan is an absolute joy! Today, my goal was to find a stunning outfit for a gala performance in Venice this weekend, but, as ever, I got sidetracked along the way. There are simply too many wonderful shops and boutiques.
Firstly, I ventured into a vintage boutique that smelled faintly of mothballs and old silk. Hidden among velvet and fur-lined coats, tucked into dusty drawers, was a breathtaking pink velvet dress. Oh, it was divine! As soon as I saw it, I just knew it had to be mine. I envisioned it beautifully matched with one of my pearl pink tutus and some delicate pearl jewellery. The owner, an older lady with sparkling eyes and the warmest smile, helped me into it. As she straightened the beautiful folds of the vintage velvet dress, she told me that she believed I could change the world. Such a kind and thoughtful thing to say!
Then, I headed down the street, the velvet dress already feeling very much at home in my handbag, towards a tiny boutique, tucked in among other beautiful shops, but looking unassuming from the outside. There, in the window, was a tiny but exquisitely made pair of rose quartz ballerina flats with tiny rose gold ribbons. They felt like tiny pieces of art! I'm such a sucker for delicate details. The price was high, but let’s face it, sometimes we have to spoil ourselves! It's all about having a little bit of luxury. It's about finding those pieces that you'll treasure forever. I knew that these beautiful little rose gold ballerina flats would complement the vintage velvet dress perfectly.
The afternoon wore on, but I eventually ended up finding an elegant but modern pink sequin top to complete the ensemble, and found myself carrying yet more purchases back to the flat! It was time for another cappucino.
I couldn’t resist sharing my find on Instagram! My followers went wild for the vintage pink velvet dress and the delicate ballerina flats. My latest fashion finds always cause a buzz online! But, to be honest, it’s not about how many likes or followers I get, it's about sharing my passion for pink tutus, for fashion, for dance and for life itself.
Friday, 27th November - Off to Venice – Pink Tutu Style
Today was a journey day! My love of travel by train has grown with my love of ballet. My next performance is on Saturday night, a gala in a grand hall in Venice, so I boarded the high-speed train, surrounded by all sorts of elegant people, dressed to the nines, of course!
And, of course, I had to wear my best pink tutu for the journey. You can never travel too far in style, can you? My pink tutu is a beacon of joy – a reminder that life is a beautiful dance.
While travelling on the train I did something quite unusual: I struck up a conversation with an elderly lady sitting opposite me. She was intrigued by my pink tutu, naturally. We ended up chatting for ages about life, music, and the importance of having dreams. This lovely lady had once been a dancer too. She told me her favourite ballet is Swan Lake.
Her kind words made me smile. I think my pink tutu makes people happy! Maybe there is something magical about this pink symbol of beauty and elegance. Or maybe it's just that people are naturally drawn to something so different and eye-catching. Whatever the reason, my pink tutu continues to make an impact wherever I go!
It really was a truly beautiful day. I could tell by the excitement building up on the train, that many others were excited for a romantic weekend in Venice, or, like myself, excited about performing on stage. The journey to Venice, with the sunshine streaming through the train window and my pink tutu fluttering in the wind, really was idyllic. It was like one of those moments in a ballet where everything feels perfect – a perfect dance between movement and music, light and colour.
And this evening, in my little hotel room overlooking the canals, the romance of this unique city fills me. It is the perfect place for my weekend of performing and fashion inspiration.
So, as the Venetian sun begins to set and a gentle breeze whispers through my pink tutu, I know this weekend promises to be filled with breathtaking views, exciting dance performances, and more fashion inspiration. I can’t wait to share it all with you in my next blog post!
See you soon, Emma 🩰💖
