Buongiorno bella! I’m back in Milan after another whirlwind of travelling and I have so much to tell you. It's like stepping back in time here. Imagine, it's just me and the sound of the tram. Oh, and that distinct scent of cobblestone and Italian pastries, it's simply divine.
It’s a very special Wednesday today – not just any ordinary Wednesday. It's a Wednesday that kicks off the biggest shoe event of the year here in Milan, Milan Shoe Fashion Week! Yes, I've found my shoes. Oh darling, the shoes. They're simply divine!
You see, it all started on Saturday morning at the Teatro alla Scala. The energy of that pre-show backstage scene was almost palpable - there was just a hum of anticipation in the air, like the stage was vibrating with excitement! They were all in a frenzy, a wonderful artistic frenzy. That buzzing hum got me totally excited and then I realised – I was the one causing that buzz, in my dazzling pink tutu of course, the star of the show! The attention and excitement around me, the gasps of appreciation and excited chatter… it was glorious! This kind of feeling is why I travel around the world, and I was in Milan this weekend to experience one of the best things ever. You simply MUST check out Teatro alla Scala when you get the chance.
This wonderful opera house has played a key role in my life. It’s where I saw my first ballet back when I was 17, a wonderful, magical, production of Swan Lake. It was truly an inspiring and moving experience. This visit had me feeling right at home! I swear it had my name on it! So of course, this little Pink Tutu gal couldn't pass up the chance to see a show.
I spent the day in pure awe of everything. And while the La Traviata was utterly amazing (I have been dreaming of Violetta's dresses for days!), what made it so extraordinary was that everyone seemed to love my pink tutu. Every eye was upon me - my tutu seemed to attract attention. I honestly felt a part of the production. Even if I wasn’t dancing, I was totally dancing! The sheer passion and energy on stage was infectious - I felt as if I was in the limelight, swirling around in my magnificent pink tutu. It's something I wouldn’t trade for the world.
Talking about passion, can you imagine what a ballet dancer goes through before a show? We, all us tutud girls, are the life and soul of a show, we make the show, don’t get me wrong - the dancers work really hard and are totally dedicated to perfection, but if we don't turn up, there would be no show to attend - let’s face it. Well this is how I view my part of a ballet performance - I’m part of the team! I was mesmerised by their pre-performance rituals - it's like a little sacred dance all in its own! The energy, the sheer focus, the devotion to the craft, it truly captivated me!
On Saturday evening, I managed to grab myself some dinner at Al Pont de Ferr. My fellow tutus - trust me, you’ll thank me later. Al Pont De Ferr offers the best comfort food in the heart of Milan - you just have to experience this! From its warm and friendly atmosphere, a perfect place for a little tutud girl, to its mouth-watering dishes - Al Pont de Ferr had everything you could possibly need! It’s all I needed - good food to recharge my energy and of course a spot of wine! Now, who knew you could drink wine whilst wearing a pink tutu? It’s a miracle! Or maybe that’s the magic of my pink tutu! Who knows! I must say, my pink tutu was feeling rather regal with this decadent glass of Italian red wine! The Italians truly know how to live! I could stay here for hours and simply relish the vibrant ambiance and energy.
The food and the Italian passion (they were even more excited by my pink tutu!), left me feeling completely satiated and refreshed. With that sense of accomplishment I was ready for another day! Sunday morning was all about my little Pink Tutu tour of Milan!
My favorite places in Milan? Oh darling! There are too many to name. But I must share just a few! First stop? It had to be La Scala. It was a divine spectacle, from the impressive architecture to the history - just breath-taking. I felt the weight of so much history as I strolled along the grand walkway! The Duomo (it's just exquisite, right?!), the Castello Sforzesco (that architecture is simply amazing!), Brera District, and Navigli District - it was an experience that just keeps giving, truly! Every corner I turned was a symphony for my eyes! Oh darling, you must check them out!
To escape the heat of the Milan sun, I discovered a beautiful café nestled away on Via Dante. Just a short stroll from Teatro alla Scala - how handy is that! There was a nice little bakery. I couldn’t resist a quick treat. You just can’t pass up that scent of freshly baked goodies. I grabbed myself a brioche con panna. It was absolutely delightful. Creamy, fluffy and sweet - pure perfection! And who would have thought I would love it so much when my biggest fear was someone spilling on my magnificent tutu. My pink tutu remained immaculate, so no disaster! Oh, what a relief. It made for the perfect ending to my whirlwind adventure, truly the icing on the cake. My pink tutu simply had to be spoilt!
After that I spent Sunday afternoon in the world-famous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. There is an abundance of high-end fashion stores in Milan, so I had to take in some of this gorgeous high fashion inspiration. The architectural detail in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II was astonishing - like nothing I’ve ever seen. That glass ceiling, the opulent interiors. They were breathtaking. The whole gallery just breathed history and style!
You see my darlings - I love a bit of fashion shopping as much as the next tutu-wearing ballerina, or should I say as much as any ballerina. The fashion in this city is simply exquisite! Oh! I found the most beautiful pink suede handbag (how fitting, isn’t it). Just my style - and my pink tutu - this is fashion I’m telling you, you don't have to be on the cat-walk for it! The fashion here really was simply exquisite, the textures, the bold colours and shapes, the craftsmanship… and this was only just a glimpse! Oh darling, this had to be one of my biggest moments. I actually couldn't stop looking at this handbag and the reflections of the magnificent ceiling of the galleria, it was truly breathtaking. My pink tutu looked incredible in all that glamour! My fashion shopping was the best thing for a Sunday!
On Monday, I had to experience fashion Milan style and what better place to experience the Italian vibe than the Fashion District. Oh my, did the fashions look divine or what?! And did I find some designer shoes or what? And you know what, the Italians really know how to show off some shoes, too. The shops - everything was simply divine. So as I have said already this is the biggest shoe event and it is going to be amazing, if I do say so myself. My tutud shoes have nothing on this Italian glamour. But do you know what is nice - my pink tutu brings the wow factor to these wow factor designer shoes!
It’s all about the shoes. These are fashion shoes - I love how high the heels are - I even think about what to wear with my tutu (if I were to wear something like this. I’m sure they'd suit it down to a tee, too! They are a true testament to craftsmanship and the spirit of high fashion here in Milan. This truly had to be one of my top five experiences on my Milan trip. And the great thing is – they just kept getting better with every step I took! I couldn't resist picking up a gorgeous pair - I thought it only right! If I were ever going to a black tie event, I’d be a complete fashionista, strutting my stuff.
Now, about my pink tutu. I have some news about that. Milan has done what no other place on my travels has managed to do! Yes, you heard me right, my pink tutu has made friends in Italy, particularly in Milan! They have a style. They have flair and I love the flair my pink tutu has brought to them!
To top it all off, I made my way to Ristorante Vecchia Malmaison. What a place! This spot serves up the most incredible pasta dishes - a little taste of Italian heaven - just a little taste - I would definitely eat it all. Their signature dishes are just irresistible. That classic Bolognese - how can anyone say no? They’ve had me at “hello!”
The warmth of the atmosphere - and how lovely the people of Milan are - and how they all welcomed my pink tutu into their homes, with their arms wide open and smiling faces… It made me feel right at home - that feeling that my tutu is a home. And so Milan, in a matter of three days, had already managed to steal my heart with its amazing energy. The atmosphere is something else - there’s a real energy, it just oozes style, culture, passion.
Now you're wondering what to expect in this new city. Well, for my next blog, we will have lots to cover. We will take a look at what this fabulous Shoe Week is all about and a few of my favourites from the week. You can all catch it on www.pink-tutu.com. This week has just been the highlight of my tour. I’m off to experience something even more magical! Let me know your thoughts on #PinkTutuMilan.
