Ciao bella! It's Emma here from your favourite pink tutu haven, Pink Tutu Milan – back for my weekly post and bursting with Milanese fashion, ballet buzz and a whole lot of pink!
This week's been a whirlwind of travel and tutu twirls, a combination I'm always happy to experience! You see, my dear readers, I've discovered a magic formula: the more I dance, the more I travel! It seems the ballet gods are smiling on me, offering a life filled with pink tulle, grand jetés and enough trains and trams to rival the Parisian metro system (and trust me, I’ve traversed it all!).
Back to the City of Fashion – A Pink Tutu Adventure AwaitsSo, let me whisk you away to my adopted home – Milan. Oh, the charm, the elegance, the... fashion! You see, darling, the city pulsates with a love of all things glamorous. And honestly, what’s more glamorous than a pink tutu?! I'm telling you, my presence in a pink tutu is like a siren call – I always attract friendly smiles and delighted whispers of "That’s bellissimo!"
This week, my little ballet haven (which, you'll know if you're a regular Pink Tutu follower, is cleverly disguised as my suitcase) has been brimming with excitement. It started with the exhilarating train journey down from Derbyshire. Yes, Derbyshire! That quaint, green and idyllic corner of England is where this ballerina is actually from. I’ve even worn my pink tutu on a train once. It was, let’s just say, an unforgettable trip... the best sort of spectacle in all the land! I’ll be taking you on that Derbyshire pink tutu train journey one week… a real ‘how I met myself’ type story!
I tell you, the train journey gave me such a burst of energy that I arrived in Milan already ready for a ballet adventure. And Milan, my darlings, didn't disappoint! It was the kind of day when the fashion, the atmosphere, and the dancing seemed to dance together in perfect harmony.
La Scala’s Splendor – Ballet Magic in Every StepI don’t think anything else needs to be said except that the La Scala is a jewel of the city. A glittering temple dedicated to the arts – how I wish they had a dedicated pink tutu theatre for visiting ballerinas! Honestly, the grandeur of the opera house alone is enough to transport you to a fairytale land of graceful music and delicate steps. This time around, I had the privilege of seeing The Nutcracker, which, as always, was absolutely captivating! Tchaikovsky’s music always sends chills down my spine, but coupled with the elegance of the dancing, it's simply heavenly. I must say, though, that I am a huge ballet fan so this does help! The ballet was exquisite, each ballerina embodying grace and passion in a symphony of movement. And while I enjoyed watching them perform, nothing satisfies like getting my tutu on and twirling on stage myself!
I, of course, caught up with some friends who dance professionally with La Scala. I’m always so excited to chat about our favourite roles. There is truly nothing quite like being a part of a vibrant dance community. Sharing tales of dance performances, new shoes, stage lights and how much water we drank during the last ballet... A big high five to them, especially the one who gave me that pink velvet handbag to match my tutu!
Ballet on the Streets – Spreading Pink Tutu JoyMy dear friends, remember that dream I have – the pink tutu dream, to spread the joy of tutus far and wide?! I decided to have a little fun in Milan, a Pink Tutu Flash Mob event, you might call it. It was inspired by a little Parisian Parisian girl in a tutu and pink ribbon I met last year when I was last here… I must tell you all about this amazing little dancing girl, as the French for beautiful isn't nearly as evocative as the Italians use of bellissima !
We took over the charming piazza right outside the beautiful Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II – you’ll find me blogging on this fabulous spot next week. The space is filled with vibrant mosaics and sparkling lights… very glamorous for my pink tutu! It felt as though all of Milan, from shoppers to tourists, joined in the energy, their smiles widening and eyes widening with every graceful pirouette!
We had an impromptu performance by two charming gentlemen - think opera-esque but in a tutu... They'd wandered over while we were gathering and joined in... Now that's the magic of tutus! You really do get the best reactions. They were two handsome chaps. You might not have seen the spectacle, but the sheer joy of the impromptu flash mob was palpable! Everyone cheered, a few children danced along, and there was this amazing feeling of collective happiness that warmed the heart. I felt that, as we gracefully twirled and spun, we were creating something truly special. The moment we danced in that glorious Milanese square, I felt as though a tiny part of the world had become a little more pink, a little more magical.
Finding the Perfect Pink Dress - An Italian Love Affair with FashionAfter the exhilarating energy of the ballet, the excitement of shopping at Pink Tutu Milan headquarters started – I do have to wear a matching dress… it’s just the rules! Shopping for the perfect outfit is as much a ballet as any grand performance! Milan is, after all, the beating heart of the fashion world. The streets are overflowing with luxurious boutiques, buzzing with a sophisticated energy that gets your heart pumping with excitement and makes a little girl in a pink tutu feel completely at home. And don’t even get me started on the food! It’s as lovely as a ballet, a colourful and delightful experience - so pretty, so delectable… so worthy of a Pink Tutu Milan blog post, my darlings!
As a ballerina, I’m not sure there’s anything I love more than wearing beautiful clothes – what’s more glamorous than pink shoes to match your pink tutu… ? My perfect dress? Why it had to be pink! Of course! In Milan, there's a dress for every personality. However, if you want something eye-catching, vibrant, and truly glamorous, the pink one is the one for you! It's a bold statement of confidence and playful energy. A bit like my pink tutu, don't you think? It's important to feel as fabulous as the tutu looks on you… But don’t get me wrong, Milan offers something for every type of dance, you’ll see next week… I even found an adorable black tutu for ballet night! And that’s not all… there's a world of colours, textures, and styles for everyone - but for me, I was just made to dance in a pink dress... just like the girls in Sleeping Beauty, no, not the pink dress Aurora wears to the ball – more the dress the fairy wears! Pink is just so whimsical…
I always tell my readers... you just need to remember – don't be afraid to add your own touch of personality, to take a chance, and to make your own dance story. This is what makes a tutu so individual - it's a personal statement that reflects your unique spirit.
Trams & Travel – Ballet in the Heart of MilanAnd speaking of embracing new experiences… my love affair with Milan trams is continuing apace. It’s not just that it’s a great way to get around (and who doesn’t love a good transport adventure?), it’s that Milan's tram system, much like the city itself, feels full of personality. Each carriage has its own unique vibe, and the streets it traverses – like the streets in many of my favorite books – feel as though they’re alive! There's always something new to see, something fascinating to observe. It's a true ballet of everyday life… even more exciting when in a pink tutu, I assure you!
My last couple of weeks have been pretty packed with my ballet and ballet-related ventures in Milan! There have been so many things to talk about… The delicious pastry from the bakery I go to – one that makes such fantastic cupcakes – the best with a good cup of Italian coffee, and I must say my love affair with the opera continues... There's so much to write about!
Next week’s Pink Tutu Milan blog is a big one - so I am getting ahead of myself and, you guessed it, it's all about the ballet… the dancers and the outfits... And who could forget a story about an old Italian grandma dancing to the opera – I do so love telling my stories about the belle in my life... But I am getting ahead of myself... I shall leave you to ponder on my week of pink tutu adventures... And next week I’m heading to Venice so stay tuned!
That’s all for this week, darlings. Remember to wear your favourite pink tutu this weekend – there's no rule that it has to be for a performance! It's more a lifestyle - just be sure to wear your Pink Tutu Milan charm and follow me @PinkTutu on your social media.
Ciao!
Love Emma
Pink Tutu Milan
www.pink-tutu.com
Post #1347 – Wednesday 31st March 2021
