Buongiorno, darling dancers! Emma here, back from a whirl through the fashion-forward city of Milan, where the only thing more dazzling than the shopping is the street style! I've been in the Italian fashion capital this week, and believe me, it's a treat for the senses. Think Parisian chic meets Italian flair, a vibrant collision of couture and culture.
As always, my trusty pink tutu, the star of the show, got its very own Italian adventure. It twirled through the Piazza Duomo, took a charming tram ride through the bustling city streets, and even popped its head into the luxurious La Rinascente department store, where I nearly swooned over the incredible selection of shoes - every shade of pink imaginable, it felt like a ballerina's dream come true!
This trip, like all my trips, was funded by a whole load of exciting performances, dancing in the vibrant Derbyshire countryside for appreciative audiences who were just as enchanted by my pink tulle masterpiece as I am! But my travels would be so boring without you all, dear readers, and of course, my online blog family at www.pink-tutu.com. I'm thrilled you're joining me in my sartorial and cultural adventures.
So, back to Milan. My little heart did a proper pirouette when I realised I'd landed on the 18th September - the very day Milan hosted an extravagant street ballet performance! This year, it was Alice in Wonderland themed - and trust me, darling, this was no ordinary street performance. I mean, think "Alice" in a completely Italian way. Imagine vibrant costumes, larger-than-life characters, a sprinkle of pure magic, and of course, the Italian love for passionate dancing and the perfect beat - it was pure bliss.
Milan itself is such a feast for the eyes, every building is a masterpiece of architecture, and I had to snap a photo (and a twirl!) in front of the Teatro alla Scala, the legendary opera house. The elegant exterior felt so perfectly "ballerina", a little slice of history with a glamorous edge.
The energy in Milan is just captivating, a perfect blend of cosmopolitan energy and history. Walking through the vibrant city centre, soaking in the sights, you just know you're experiencing something unique, something special. Even taking the iconic Milan tram is an adventure – the windows showcasing the ever-changing scene. I even spotted some people doing the Vogue pose whilst the tram zipped along – Talk about high fashion in a rush hour!
Of course, my travels were also sprinkled with delicious eats (I'm pretty sure I single-handedly kept all the pasta restaurants in business - well, maybe just a small dent!). The Italian gelato (yes, the good stuff! The real Italian creamy gelato) is an absolute must-have. This week's discovery was pistachio and orange blossom flavoured gelato - oh, my word, so delicious!
But let's face it, a girl needs more than delicious food and ballet in her life – which brings me to my favourite thing to do in a new city - Shopping! And you won’t believe the finds I had in Milan this week! I mean, I went from admiring the outfits in La Rinascente (yes, that very La Rinascente, which is an Italian paradise for ballerinas and fashion lovers, I might add - think luxury, my dears!), to actually finding the perfect pair of pink ballet shoes.
Let's be honest, pink ballet shoes are never just ballet shoes. They're an essential, a necessity, a must for any ballerina – and these beauties were just calling my name. A little, blush pink satin, the perfect toe box, with that elegant pointed shape that screams "ballet". I had to have them. It’s amazing what a few pretty, pink ballet shoes can do to uplift your mood! Especially after a few delicious scoops of gelato and a bit of Milanese shopping, I was truly feeling my ballerina power, let me tell you!
Let's Talk Tutu – because we all know my favourite outfit topic!
This trip, my pink tutu, well, let’s say, got more than its fair share of compliments! Everywhere I went in Milan, my tutu caused a real stir - it felt like I was an ambassador of all things pink and twirly. Walking past that iconic Milanese statue of Leonardo da Vinci, the Vitruvian Man, in the Piazza della Scala, my tutu just had to have a twirl, and the Italian style was right there. Imagine if Vitruvian Man had worn a tutu – what an iconic image, right? It definitely made for some rather amusing pictures!
I have a theory, you know. I truly believe wearing a tutu just brings out the joy and creativity in everyone - maybe a little bit of magic too? Maybe it’s the feeling of being transported to a whimsical world, like a real life ballet. My Milan adventure is all the evidence I need to keep rocking my pink tutu!
Now, darling dancers, it's time for some ballet goodness, or rather, a ballet confession: My new favourite thing is finding ballet in the most unexpected places in Milan. Whether it's catching the graceful movements of a street artist's brushstrokes (they're like the dance of colors!) or spotting a ballerina's delicate footwork in the elegant cobblestone streets (a little urban ballet performance for the soul!). And this is what makes Milan so beautiful – it's the artistic heart that's everywhere you look, from the ornate buildings to the passionate people who bring every day life to life.
There are just so many beautiful things about Milan that my camera almost burst! I have enough photos for a whole ballerina scrapbook - each one brimming with memories of this vibrant, beautiful city.
So, my lovelies, until next week, when I'm back in my little Derbyshire home with my tutu twirling away (and maybe even a little Milanese inspiration for a new pink ballet outfit! 🤫).
*Always remember: You don't have to be a ballerina to wear a tutu. It's a statement, a mood, a burst of pink happiness. Wear your tutus loud and proud, just like I do! *
Ciao bella, and happy twirling!
Emma xoxo
