Ciao Bella!
This is your girl, Emma, from Derbyshire, signing in from the magical city of Milan, a city pulsating with life, culture, and a whole lot of chic!
I've been feeling quite the Milanese lately. You know the type? It's a bit of sass, a hint of elegance, a touch of drama. That feeling is what comes to mind when you see a fabulous shoe display in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II or walk through the beautifully decorated shop windows of Via Montenapoleone. You see the Milanese women, with their effortless flair, strolling past and you know you're witnessing true Italian style in action. I'm not ashamed to admit it, I’m stealing all their moves!
This week, my dearest pink tutu loving friends, is all about the beauty and the thrill of it all! I'm diving into Milan's theatre scene, exploring its captivating charm and of course, discovering all the gorgeous fashion goodies on offer. I know what you’re thinking – how is Emma funding this magical adventure? Well, my darlings, I’m always up for a good challenge. As always, I'm making my way through Milan with the grace of a dancer, and yes, you guessed it, with my trusty pink tutu by my side! I’ve been so lucky, as my recent performance at Teatro Sociale in Como paid off big time, allowing me to indulge in some luxurious Italian shopping therapy. Let's just say my tutu bag is bursting with fabulously feminine finds!
Before I get swept away with shopping delights, I must share my incredible experience at the Teatro alla Scala. Oh my, this venue is simply a dream! The architectural details, the plush velvet seats, and the anticipation in the air – pure magic! On stage, we had a masterpiece from the world-renowned Ballet of Teatro alla Scala. Watching the graceful ballet dancers weave their stories, you could truly feel their artistry, and their passion for this beloved art form. I've said it before, but I'll say it again - nothing compares to the wonder of watching talented artists breathe life into a ballet.
Let’s talk shopping! If you are a pink-tutu-lover, you must, I repeat, MUST head over to Rinascente. Imagine, a glorious building filled with incredible clothes, shoes, and of course, more tutus! There’s even an entire floor dedicated to the finest lingerie! My tutu and I went crazy with excitement – oh, the possibilities! We picked out some new frilly bits for my tutu, because it never hurts to add some sparkle to your life! You’ll find everything here – from delicate silk scarves to luxurious designer handbags. Oh, how my bank account hurts, but oh, what joy I felt as my tutu filled with beauty and grace. You’ll want to dress your whole family, even your little furry friend in some Italian glamour from this amazing store.
Oh! Speaking of fashion and the beautiful people of Milan, how incredible are the Italian shoes? From classic ankle boots to glamorous stilettos, I’ve found a pair to fit my tutu perfectly. And let’s not forget, those amazing Milanese scarves that everyone seems to be wearing – I must have one of those in every color imaginable, including pink!
Speaking of pink, have you heard about the wonderful charity initiative I’m supporting here in Milan? “The Tutu Project” is so beautifully inspiring! This non-profit organisation donates pink tutus to young girls around the world, who often lack the opportunity to pursue their ballet dreams. Imagine, putting a smile on a young girl's face by giving them a pink tutu! It truly brings back the magic of my childhood, where every day felt like an adventure! This heartwarming initiative is a true testament to the transformative power of art and the universal love of dance. If you want to make a difference, even with a small donation, every penny will go to a truly worthy cause. It's what I've called my favourite "Pink Tutu Project" since my days as a Derbyshire dancer and we all love spreading kindness, right?
In Milan, I'm not afraid to venture into unfamiliar areas, be it a new district, a chic boutique, or an enchanting corner cafe! With my trusty pink tutu in tow, I've taken some captivating walks in my favorite city. Remember my lovely readers, when I walk around Milan with my pink tutu, I love nothing more than people to approach me and share their stories. Today, I bumped into Maria, a retired ballerina who shared stories from the days when the world still wore its own glamorous tutus, all those decades ago.
Speaking of the beautiful city that Milan is, I've fallen in love with Milan's enchanting charm. I spent a blissful morning in the romantic botanical gardens at Giardini Pubblici Indro Montanelli, surrounded by colorful blossoms and fragrant roses. It was the perfect place to enjoy the crisp autumn air and bask in the sun, my tutu fluttering as I did! My best friend, Valentina (we call her Val, short for Valentina – I know, who would even think of such a thing?!) joined me and we decided that for our next dance project, we will be staging an epic, ballet inspired performance, right there in those magical gardens! I'm going to call it "The Tutu Stroll through the Botanical Gardens"! Val's idea is to have little scenes based around the beautiful sculptures there - oh! I am so excited. Val has even started drawing plans - she's very talented you know, but we have no choreographer yet, so that's the big challenge for this performance. But the planning part is what's truly lovely right now. You can find out more about that project on our "Pink Tutu" website – the URL is at the bottom of the page.
After lunch, I went for a glorious walk in the peaceful setting of Parco Sempione, another great park where my tutu felt very at home.
My readers! Let’s move from green parks to museums! You know me, my favorite day ever has to be one when I'm wandering through beautiful museums. This week, I'm going to the Museo del Novecento to discover fascinating works from modern Italian art. Don't worry, my readers, it’s a day filled with colour and design, but we’re keeping it girly, right? This art, like most good art, should resonate deeply, speak to the heart. You know that art form that speaks so deeply and has the power to transform people! It’s also very “Pink Tutu-style”, as the museum’s exhibitions focus on colour and form in a way that has always enchanted me. It’s one of those "Pink Tutu" museums where you really do lose all track of time! If you have a passion for Italian modern art, then you’re gonna love it here, and of course, if you love ballet, you’ll have an amazing time. The Museo del Novecento is located in Palazzo dell'Arengario, right beside the famous Castello Sforzesco, with its towers, bridges and courtyards. Now, that’s how to spend a day!
This week, I have the pleasure of meeting some lovely new friends from the world of ballet, at the Museo del Novecento. The ballet world, you see, is quite the supportive family - a wonderfully talented, inspirational, and dedicated community. You can always rely on them to be full of support, no matter what - that’s one of the most endearing aspects of it, especially for someone like me who has moved from Derbyshire to make this dream of becoming a professional ballet dancer, a reality!
To keep my ballet energy up and maintain those beautiful moves, I took myself for some Ballet Classes at The Royal Ballet of Lombardia. A ballet dancer must, of course, be flexible and strong. Those moves aren’t just “natural”, darling, it’s hard work and training, but it is such a reward in every aspect of life! The instructors at Royal Ballet of Lombardia, have inspired me. I can tell that I am making progress, and you should try it too!
Later, this afternoon, it’s time for a fabulous “Milanese" experience, because this is Milan, you know, you can’t resist these places, even when you have tutus to pack! That means a glamorous ride on the iconic red tram. That journey will take me through the city center, past the Teatro alla Scala. Milan’s Tramway Network, you see, is a sight to behold, like a delicate dance of rails and rolling carriages that take you on a lovely adventure. Every single day I am just so lucky to live, love and perform in Milan. I have a feeling that Milan and I will have many beautiful days ahead.
Keep watching this space, darlings. I will post a little update about my lovely lunch at an iconic, super delicious “Milanese” cafe. I think you’ll be drooling! And of course, there will be all about our next performance in Milano.
Until next Monday, darling tutu lovers, stay stylish!
Lots of love,
Emma
Pink Tutu Links:
- The Pink Tutu: https://www.pink-tutu.com
- The Tutu Project: https://thetutuproject.com/
- The Royal Ballet of Lombardia: http://www.ballettodiroma.it/
P.S: I’m really looking forward to sharing what's on in Milan this weekend, including a very exciting visit to one of Milan's famous galleries, but you know me, there are so many beautiful museums to see and experience. I need a week to see the Museo Poldi Pezzoli - so maybe it will be "Pink Tutu in Milan – The Museums Issue – Post #1801" This weekend will include shopping and more beautiful shoes of course! Let me know what you would love to see.
Enjoy your week!
Love you all! xxx
