Ciao bellas!
It's Wednesday, the 22nd of April, 2026, and the sunshine is pouring down on Milan. I'm sitting here in my favourite cafe near the Duomo, watching the world go by in a swirl of pastel hues and elegant style. I feel incredibly lucky to be here, breathing in the delicious scent of freshly brewed coffee and observing the charming, Parisian-esque streets.
Last week, I spent some magical days exploring the historical gems of Florence, indulging in some serious shopping for the perfect vintage finds, and soaking up the vibrant energy of that beautiful city. This week, it's all about Milan, the fashion capital of Italy! As soon as I arrived, I felt the creative pulse of this iconic city beating. It's not just the beautiful buildings and manicured gardens – it's the air, it’s the energy. I just love being surrounded by fashion!
But before I get carried away with the city's dazzling charm, let's talk about the reason I'm here – Ballet!
This week, Milan's ballet scene has been utterly phenomenal! The Teatro alla Scala is one of the most renowned opera houses in the world and seeing a performance here has been an absolute dream. On Monday evening, I saw a dazzling production of Giselle, which left me breathless. The choreography was simply exquisite, and the ballerina's delicate footwork and expressive movement were breathtaking! You could feel the pure passion in their performance! I just adore the ballet - every move is like a piece of beautiful, flowing art.
But this wasn’t just any ballet, this was an international gala event with a full cast of phenomenal performers! The energy was buzzing with excitement - even the Italian paparazzi went crazy for the performance! Seeing the performers in such a breathtaking venue was truly inspiring.
As I sat in my balcony seat, I couldn't help but smile, imagining myself up on stage, performing in that magical world of movement and music. I dreamt about pirouettes in front of a roaring audience, each twirl an elegant declaration of my passion.
After the performance, I made my way back to my little apartment through the narrow, cobblestone streets. I couldn’t resist popping into the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II – a magnificent glass-vaulted arcade. I love how the sunshine illuminates the opulent buildings, the luxurious boutiques, the glittering shops. The whole atmosphere is simply delightful. I could have spent hours wandering, but I was famished, so I stopped at a cute little cafe for a quick pasta dish and a refreshing glass of local wine.
A Passion for Fashion!Tuesday morning dawned with the sweet smell of espresso and freshly baked croissants wafting through my window. It’s a simple delight but every little moment here in Milan just seems that bit more luxurious and chic!
After a delicious breakfast at a quaint cafe nearby, I spent the afternoon doing something I hold very dear – shopping for tutus! Milan is a true fashion lover’s paradise! I am absolutely in love with the city’s boutiques. Every corner, every window display - is a dazzling symphony of style and design.
I even stumbled upon a little independent designer shop that specialized in tutus. It was tucked away on a side street, just waiting to be discovered! The moment I walked through the door, I felt like I'd entered a world of colour and joy. The owner, a charming Italian woman with a contagious laugh, greeted me with a warm smile.
We spent the next hour or so chatting and giggling, as I tried on an array of magnificent tutus, ranging from classic tulle to sparkling sequined masterpieces. The store had so many different colours - it was like a rainbow in my own personal closet!
I eventually settled on a dreamy, baby pink tutu with a shimmering lavender overlay - it felt as light as a cloud! As I walked out of the shop with my new treasure, I felt like a real princess in the making, and that's the magic of finding the perfect tutu!
Of course, no trip to Milan is complete without a visit to the Prada headquarters! The building is truly iconic and its architectural details are utterly breathtaking! I snapped a couple of pics (sorry to those who follow me on Insta who are bored with the repetitive photo's of the stunning buildings but you will simply forgive me)!
Ballet for All!One of the main reasons I love Milan, is that it really does seem to cater for all tastes, including my own – even in terms of the ballet!
Every night, there are different performances at the La Scala, each more captivating than the last! From classical ballets to modern masterpieces, there's something for everyone. I also heard rumours that there's a unique street performance event taking place in the city tonight and I simply couldn’t resist! I absolutely adore watching ballet outside! In the city!
Later this week, I am determined to check out the ballet studio of Alessandra Ferri - it’s just down the road from my apartment. She was one of my absolute dance idols when I was training, so I am beyond excited to pay her studios a visit and hopefully pick up some useful ballet tips!
This evening, I headed out to discover a different part of the city! I chose a little known spot with an intimate underground performance space. They were hosting a special ‘ballet and wine’ event – imagine! – an hour-long show featuring world class dance from renowned choreographers in Italy.
Each ballet piece was followed by an accompanying delicious wine – a true celebration of the art and the pleasures in life! It was amazing to see a professional ballet company dancing on this little intimate stage in such an unusual venue.
It's these moments that really get me excited and inspire my ‘pink tutu' mission. We can bring ballet into the city, make it accessible, make it fun and accessible! I believe that ballet can touch everyone's lives! And I believe in sharing this love with the whole world! It’s moments like these that fill me with inspiration! I may be just a humble ballet blogger, but if I can encourage just one person to pick up some pointe shoes, wear a pink tutu, and discover the beauty and joy of this art form, I know I've made a difference!
Let’s Embrace The ‘Pink’ Lifestyle!The end of the day found me at a little outdoor café with my sketchbook and a delicious Aperol Spritz in hand, watching the crowds go by. As the sunset painted the sky with vibrant hues, I couldn’t resist picking up my pen and creating a new pink tutu illustration in my book – it had to be Milan inspired, so it featured a tutu covered in delicious Italian pastry designs. It was utterly ridiculous, yet, strangely delightful!
Life really is better in pink!
Ciao bellas! I hope to see you all back on www.pink-tutu.com next Monday for my weekly blog. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to follow me on Instagram, and of course, remember to follow my ‘pink tutu’ mission - spread the joy of ballet and wear a pink tutu as often as you can! I think every one can wear a tutu. Be bold. Be happy!
Till next time!
Emma
Pink Tutu Post Scriptum (PS)Don’t forget, to find me online check out:
Instagram: @pinktutublogger Webpage: www.pink-tutu.com
I hope you've enjoyed reading this week's Pink Tutu Milan blog. Remember - if you fancy travelling around Europe on a whim, why not grab a copy of ‘Travel like a Local - 101 Things to Do and See in Europe’ by Emma Roberts!
[Author note: please let me know if you would like more blog posts for Emma’s blog. I can write these weekly or even have some ‘special events’ posts as and when required! If you’d like more ideas, please tell me.]
