From Derbyshire to Milano!
It’s another gloriously sunny Wednesday here in Milan! I’ve just enjoyed a divine latte, grande, with a gorgeous pistachio éclair and now I'm ready to spill the tea… well, actually it's espresso. But anyway, you know what I mean!
This week's adventure took me to a hidden gem of a theatre tucked away in a charming little street near the Duomo. And what better way to get there than by tram? Oh, the joy of riding those old, yellow beauties! Makes me feel like a princess travelling through the heart of Milan. My pink tutu twirled with the rhythm of the tracks, attracting envious glances, of course! It wouldn't be a #PinkTutuMilan blog without a little tutu magic!
My trusty travel companion, the little black handbag, was overflowing with pink lip gloss and my secret stash of sparkly hair pins. Nothing says "I’m a ballerina on a mission" more than perfectly-coiffed hair, right?
I have to confess, finding the theatre took a bit more detective work than usual. Luckily, my intuition and a handy little map – a gift from the lovely cafe owner – led me straight to the door.
Behind the Curtain…
Now, I know what you’re thinking: a hidden gem in Milan? Doesn’t sound quite like the "grand" opera houses you imagine. You're right, it wasn’t, and it’s all the more enchanting for it. I don't want to reveal the theatre's secrets, so you'll have to trust me when I say it's like stepping into a world of pure magic. The stage was bathed in a gentle spotlight, a perfectly polished mirror reflecting the graceful movement of the dancers.
The show itself was an exquisite tapestry of colour, sound and movement. Every plié, every grand jeté, every single turn – a masterpiece of choreography. The story it told was timeless and universal, reminding me once again that ballet is indeed a universal language, understood by everyone. I found myself completely swept away by the emotional intensity of the piece. Even if I didn’t understand a single word!
After the show, the theatre seemed to come alive with chatter and laughter, a symphony of buzzing energy and anticipation for the night ahead. It was there that I found myself in conversation with the most charming and well-spoken woman! Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as we talked about all things dance. And what do you know? Turns out she’s a dancer, too! Not just any dancer though. She teaches a ballet class right here in Milan!
Talk about a sign!
We spoke excitedly about technique, the importance of finding the perfect ballet shoes, the joy of finding joy in movement, and – my favourite part - the absolute thrill of getting to share this passion with others. And wouldn't you know it? She even convinced me to take a class next week! Now, that’s something to look forward to.
Ballet Couture: Milan Style
After a quick pit stop back at the hotel to swap my sparkly pink tutu for a chic little black dress – of course, topped with a feather boa just to make things a bit more glamorous – I ventured out onto the streets to hunt for some seriously divine vintage finds. I’m on a mission to find some pieces to add a touch of elegance and classic beauty to my already quite frankly – fabulous – wardrobe. Milan is the perfect place to indulge this fashion fetish, trust me!
Walking around here is like a dream. Cobbled streets adorned with enchanting shop fronts that just beckon you in to explore. I swear I can hear a melody whispering in the air, like the delicate notes of a Stradivarius! Maybe it’s just my imagination and the magic of Milan getting to me!
Now, if you’re a tutu-loving gal like myself, there’s one place you HAVE to visit. Let's call it a must-see – the Ballet School! It's like walking through the pages of a beautifully curated fairytale book. Not to mention – oh, the shoes, darling! The dance shoes are so exquisite, so carefully crafted, I could have bought them all! In a perfect world, wouldn’t that be just lovely?
And that, my dear readers, brings us to the end of yet another magical day here in Milano! As always, the streets are buzzing with a symphony of emotions: excitement, love, friendship and, of course, a love for all things beautiful.
Oh, and the aperitivo was superb, just as good as the gelato yesterday evening! If you're here in Milano, you simply MUST sample both. It's the perfect way to unwind after a day filled with dancing, shopping and a touch of romantic nostalgia.
*Until next time, dear readers… *
Remember: always wear a pink tutu with confidence and spread the joy of ballet. We’re in this together! Ciao bella!
Emma, from the heart of Milan… xox
P.S. Don’t forget to subscribe to www.pink-tutu.com to follow along on all my adventures! And keep your eyes peeled for more updates from Milan coming up soon! I have a feeling this little trip to Milan is going to change everything, you know, because why not?
