Hey darlings! It's your Pink Tutu Sparkles here, and guess what? I'm in Milan! Oh, I'm so excited, my head's practically bursting with the possibilities! Milan, the fashion capital of the world, the home of haute couture, the land of gorgeous shoes, oh the outfits I’m gonna wear! You wouldn’t believe how many sequins and feathers I brought! Now I'm so grateful for the chance to explore, and it's just the ticket after a bit of a busy time of performing around my little corner of Derbyshire, you know, keeping those tutu dreams alive.
I tell you, getting here was an adventure. A journey by train to be precise, it’s such a lovely way to travel. Watching the countryside go by is always a sight for sore eyes, particularly if you've spent a good 4 hours making sure your perfectly pink hairspray can is safely tucked in your hand luggage and that your precious diamanté stilettos have been individually bubble-wrapped to be safe from those rogue trolley people.
Anyway, on arrival in Milan I checked into this swanky little boutique hotel. Honestly, the receptionist just melted at the sight of my fluffy pink tutu, it's the same one that’s my favourite for my 'ballerina goes glam' routine – all floaty tulle and sparkling diamantes – so naturally, I couldn't travel without it. The moment they saw that masterpiece, they upgraded me to a room with a balcony, and boy, let me tell you, they really do spoil you in Milan! The view's amazing, looking out over the city rooftops, with just a whisper of the snow capped mountains in the distance, I can't believe how stunning this place is!
Now, where to start, there are so many amazing places to visit here in Milan. I started at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II - it's so ornate with all those glass arcades, a magnificent palace for shopping. This building just screams glamour, but to be honest, for me, all that glitz pales in comparison to a proper vintage clothing store. And wouldn't you know it, just tucked away, there's a treasure trove of lace and ribbons! A vintage shop to rival even the most chic boutique.
Of course, no trip to Milan is complete without a ballet show! Imagine the tutus, the grand stage, the dancing, the stories... well, you know me, I live for that! You'd think I would be spoiled for choice in a city that celebrates beauty like Milan. Well, you'd be right, but the perfect ballet for my first visit just happened to be based on the tale of Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker," how very apt for yours truly!
As soon as I got into the theater, my inner child squealed in pure joy, surrounded by so much vibrant color and music, it’s enough to give any Pink Tutu Sparkle a right old thrill. It was an emotional show with the choreography and costumes, absolutely mesmerizing.
While I’ve been doing a lot of sightseeing, it’s just impossible to forget the real reason for my trip: I am after all a drag artist! It would be sacrilege for Pink Tutu Sparkle not to grab this chance to perform here, in this city where style and confidence collide.
I am determined to turn a few heads! The sheer pink of it all is about to set Milan on fire, darling! And it's not just the performance that gets me excited, the crowds here, the energy, you just feel the city humming and buzzing! There’s so much energy in the air here, you can't help but get swept up in the fun, and honestly? My tutu is absolutely loving it, and, let’s be honest, I’m loving every minute! The audience at my show last night in a little courtyard nestled behind the bustling market – well, let's just say they got a bit of the 'pink treatment!' I was told by some locals, "You know this isn't Brighton?" and with a twinkle in my eye I replied, "Sweetheart, you’ve no idea."
The streets in Milan are abuzz with artists, street performers, all kinds of creative characters! It's the perfect place to feel right at home. I mean, I’ve just started a dance workshop here, "The Tutu Trot" as I like to call it! The people just loved it! You could feel the energy in the studio – a sea of sparkle and laughter. We learned all sorts of moves inspired by the graceful grace of a ballerina. But with my own pink tutu-tastic twist!
Milan isn't just about glitz and glam though. You know me, I'm always exploring those hidden corners of every place I visit. So, between my flamboyant outings I found this lovely quiet café nestled amongst cobbled streets – perfect for a quiet afternoon of sketching new designs for my tutu collection and writing blog entries, you know, like this one! That's what makes travelling so rewarding; it’s the balance, it’s the contrast, the thrill and the stillness.
This city feels alive with creativity and magic, with endless avenues to discover, which leads me, dear readers, to my next grand plan.
What if... imagine if every day was a little more like a ballet performance, just a touch of glitter, a pinch of sparkle and an explosion of color! Just like a pink tutu, ready to take on the world! Well, with a little bit of help from you and a dash of pink tulle, it’s absolutely possible! That’s why, right here, right now, I want to launch my very first Pink Tutu Challenge!
Here’s the challenge, my loves! This summer, find that bold pink tutu hidden away in your closet (we all have one somewhere!), and wear it out with pride. Wear it to your next concert, to the shops, to a museum, to that meeting. We all know that every day should be an adventure! Embrace those fabulous, sassy pink tutu vibes and let’s unleash the inner sparkle within each and every one of us!
If you do dare to wear a pink tutu, please send me pictures on Instagram or my Facebook, tag @PinkTutuSparkles and use #PinkTutuChallenge, and I might even re-post them!
It’s a fantastic feeling to look at those pictures on the web, and knowing I'm part of this amazing, playful and fun movement, with all of you. I am all about community and supporting other artists and creative people!
My stay here in Milan is coming to an end but I’m already making plans to return - how exciting! But you can bet your sequins that this Pink Tutu Sparkles has been collecting all the latest fashions and some divine pieces to keep that pink tutu fire alive!
From one sparkly diva to another – have a wonderful time exploring and spreading a little bit of pink love all across your own part of the world!
Stay stylish and sparkly!
Lots of love,
Pink Tutu Sparkles xox
