Ciao bella! It's Emma here, writing to you live from the fabulous city of Milan! ☀️ Oh my, Milan, you are so utterly stunning, full of vibrant energy, incredible architecture, and of course, breathtaking fashion! It’s hard to choose where to begin!
But let's be honest, for someone like me, obsessed with pink and twirling in my tutu, what better place could there be to find a pink dream than the fashion capital of Italy? ??
Milan just pulls me in. From the moment I arrived at the central station (which is huge and grand!), the buzz of the city is electric. My trip is, of course, already all about the gorgeous architecture, the beautiful people, and all the shops, but it also has a strong ballet flavour.
After my long journey from Derbyshire (well, I did travel down to London to get a more frequent train), I arrived in Milan ready for some much-needed fun and excitement! It was definitely a day for exploring!
I stepped off the train at Stazione Centrale, the massive and awe-inspiring train station in Milan, with its elegant domes and grand spaces. I'd booked a lovely little boutique hotel near the Duomo, and with my trolley bag (all neatly pink and polka-dotted!), I took a fun ride on the local tram. You know me, anything with wheels that gets me from A to B is my friend!
Oh, and I'm telling you, there's something wonderfully romantic about tramming through the cobbled streets of Milan. The warm air carries a fragrance of blooming flowers, the elegant buildings are a beautiful blend of modern and traditional architecture, and I just can't help but feel like I've stepped out of a vintage postcard!
Once settled into my room, I went out to explore! And you know, the only way to see a city properly is to wander its streets and alleys - with my favourite pink tutu, naturally! After all, where else could I find so many exciting photos? The fashion shops on the Via Montenapoleone, for example, are simply divine! Even though my current bank account was saying 'no!', I indulged in a bit of window shopping! ? Every storefront was a showcase of exquisite designs and vibrant colours - I simply can't resist, and the sales assistants, they just get my love of the pinkest of pinks.
Then I had a real treat - a delicious cup of strong, Italian espresso. I chose to sip it slowly as I watched the world go by - all the Milanese going about their day. This was my time to soak it all in. And it definitely wasn't a quick sip, oh no! I think I spent a good hour or two people-watching while slowly drinking that one, perfect espresso!
I wandered through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II - the ultimate luxury shopping destination. With its beautiful glass and iron architecture and stunning views, it was a truly magical experience! I swear, it was so inspiring, I found a whole new confidence walking around, feeling all sparkly and empowered - ready to do whatever I wanted. I must admit that I indulged in a few souvenir photos for the gram! (And yes, you guessed it - pink! Pink pink pink! Everywhere you look.) ?
There’s just so much character to this city, I found myself mesmerised. I walked past ancient churches, majestic cathedrals, and of course, the spectacular Duomo di Milano, Milan's iconic gothic cathedral. It truly is a breathtaking piece of architecture! I stood in awe of the elaborate carvings, intricate details, and the sheer scale of it. It's something else! The building just gives off an almost magical energy. As I looked up at the stained glass windows, they really took me to another place – somewhere beautiful, tranquil, peaceful, but, at the same time, there’s a sense of drama to it all, almost like a ballet performance.
By the time I found myself getting lost in the tangle of lanes and streets that wind through Milan, I realised I was famished, but my tummy wasn't just grumbling for food! It was starting to dance - and, well, so was I! It had to be time for my ballet class. And wouldn’t you know it? Just as if it was waiting for me, I stumbled upon a fabulous studio, called "La Bella Ballerina" just around the corner, with a big pink banner advertising their ‘Beginning Ballet for Beginners’. How perfect is that?
I don't think I've ever met a bunch of such charming and encouraging women before. Even the youngest girls - like seven or eight years old - in that class were absolutely amazing. I found myself smiling throughout, trying to absorb all of the ballet techniques - their graceful movements, the power in their feet, the effortless control. This truly was my kind of therapy session - ballet just melts away all the worries of the day, and it brings me back to a beautiful sense of peace, where you are totally present in your body. ?
With a lightness in my heart and a glow on my face (after that exhilarating workout!) I treated myself to a real, traditional Italian meal at a small and friendly little bistro on the way home. There were only five other diners in the bistro. All sat chatting happily, tucking into their evening meal. It was like something out of an old-fashioned movie. I ordered pasta (and it had a good dose of Parmesan cheese! YUM!) and a big glass of crisp Pinot Grigio - because hey, I’m in Milan, darling! Let’s celebrate! And while I was waiting for my meal to be served, I sat there watching a few ladies gracefully twirling and pirouetteing in their tulle skirts outside. What is it about tulle that screams so beautifully stylish? And isn't pink just perfect for that kind of feminine grace? And as if it had been destined for me to have such an extraordinary day, just a little further along the street, a pink, polka-dot convertible car was waiting, looking perfectly picturesque. The driver's side door opened to reveal an elegantly-dressed man offering a lady a hand to help her in. I felt myself drifting into a sweet dream - one where tulle, sparkle and a pink convertible blend seamlessly into one exquisite scene. Oh, how I love being a ballerina and seeing all these amazing, perfectly 'pink' moments!
Then my amazing meal arrived! With all the smells and the colours and the friendly conversations of the evening around me, this definitely felt like the real taste of Milan! It felt like a proper, little Milanese secret - the type of place where everyone felt happy and free to express their personalities and individuality. That's just the way I see the world: a kaleidoscope of creativity, colour and character!
This evening I will take a trip to the Teatro alla Scala - to watch a performance, of course! It’s the pinnacle of beauty and drama! And while there’s not always ballet on offer, today’s show is ‘Giselle’! What an absolutely incredible ballet, and I love the story behind it! Oh, Giselle, you beautiful, graceful soul. She’s got her heartbroken by the villainous Albrecht. It's an amazing drama about romantic betrayal, love, betrayal, love, and tragic forgiveness! And that final scene! The choreography, the dancing - it really is utterly stunning, heartbreaking and emotionally powerful! And what more could I possibly ask for?
There's just something about the magic of ballet. It transports me to a world of wonder, where imagination takes flight. The beautiful costumes, the athletic prowess, the raw emotion, the magical music, it all adds up to a truly beautiful spectacle. Every move, every jump, every arabesque tells a story - a story of hope, resilience, love, loss. Ballet truly is a language of the soul. ?
And that's just one more reason why I’m so dedicated to inspiring other people to join me in celebrating a love of ballet and its beautiful impact! Just yesterday I received my new shipment of pink tutus (perfect for both children and adults) and my ‘Pink Tutu Project’ for inspiring all fashionistas to embrace their feminine side is gaining so much momentum, It’s amazing to see people embracing this fun way to express themselves. Whether it’s a full-on, glorious tutu, or a tutu with a fabulous top, the joy and beauty of movement in the pink tutu is contagious.
After the ballet, I plan to relax in one of Milan's charming piazzas (after all, it’s Wednesday night and the city’s just coming to life!) . What's better than watching the sunset with a gelato and watching Milan’s stylish locals go about their lives. So, that's all for now, but I will be posting another entry on Monday for www.pink-tutu.com with my top five picks for the most inspiring pink moments in Milan.
I can't wait for what this gorgeous, pink-tastic city has in store for me!
Until next time, darlings! And remember to stay true to yourselves, find your passion and follow your dreams!
Love,
Emma
xx ? ?
