2026-08-26
Hello darling! It’s Emma from Derbyshire, back with a splash of colour and twirls in the magnificent city of Milan. This week has been a whirlwind of excitement, and as always, it’s a joy to share it all with you lovely people on my pink-tutu.com blog.
As usual, I hopped onto a lovely vintage red tram with my bright pink ballet bag. I love the feel of these vintage trams here, so much history and romance swirling around me like a waltz. It always reminds me that I’m travelling through time, too, stepping into this fashion capital with each click-clack of the wheels. And this time, I'm here for something truly special!
It’s Fashion Week, my darlings! It feels like everyone in Milan is adorned with beautiful dresses, glittering jewelry, and those gorgeous high-heeled shoes that I can barely walk in, never mind twirl! It's such a dazzling sight to see, and I can't resist taking in all the glamorous outfits and stylish creations as I stroll down the streets.
Of course, I have to try on a few things myself. Now, this year, I’m all about pairing pink with… drum roll please….gold! I mean, I’m not saying that a shimmering gold tutus are new, but when combined with the prettiest pale pinks – the results are absolutely divine!
This week’s favourite purchases are definitely a shimmering, floor-length, gold and pink evening gown with layers of tulle that whisper and swirl when you walk. It’s absolute magic, you can imagine my delight in trying it on at La Rinascente! It’s the kind of dress that makes you feel like a fairytale princess ready to step onto a stage. And let me tell you, the way this dress dances as you twirl! Oh my goodness, it’s like a ballet itself.
Now, Milan’s a treasure trove of shops. From the big brand names to hidden, independent boutiques, I’m always discovering new delights. I found this enchanting little shop hidden away in the quaint streets around the Duomo, filled with the most beautiful hand-crafted silk flowers. Each one was a delicate work of art, perfect for embellishing a ballet costume. I have to say, there were some gorgeous ones in pink… who am I kidding, it’s almost impossible to escape a pink flower.
There’s something wonderful about being in Milan and seeing all the amazing people who are so passionate about fashion and creativity. Even the local bakery down the street had beautiful displays of delicate pastel cakes – all pink of course!
As you know, my love of the ballet, fashion, and travel is intertwined. It’s all about the story, darling, a story that I get to weave through every performance and travel experience. This weekend I’m attending the "La Traviata" opera at La Scala, which I have been so looking forward to. You might think “Emma, it’s opera, not ballet,” but there is a gorgeous, heartbreaking story of forbidden love and sacrifice, so many beautiful emotions you just know that those ballerinas would make it magical. Just you wait for my post on the pink tutu style that will be matching La Scala!
But it's not all tutus and twirling around! This week has also been all about finding the right ballet studio. There’s nothing like a good old-fashioned ballet class to keep the body strong and the mind calm, and when in a city like Milan, the ballet studio becomes the ultimate beauty salon.
I was so thrilled to stumble across a quaint little studio with dusty, well-worn wooden floors. They always seem to smell of rosin and the most gorgeous warm scent of leather, it’s such a beautiful old-world smell that I’m smitten with!
Now, here’s the funny thing: The moment I walk into that studio, all I can think about is the pink tutus I've worn before in other classes all around the world. I just imagine the stories these floorboards could tell if they could talk about the little ballet girls and all those dancers and ballet masters who have taken their first steps and first falls in these studios over the years. They would all be wearing beautiful ballet shoes, all their lovely little pink tutus. It's something magical that draws me in, you see. I always feel at home in a ballet studio, as if the energy of a hundred dances and twirls resonates in the air.
Speaking of dance, on Saturday, the most enchanting event of all unfolded in Piazza Duomo! It’s the "Danza nel Duomo," where some of the most renowned ballet companies in the world put on a show against the backdrop of the stunning Duomo, this majestic structure that’s breathtaking day and night, lit up by the moon, and by the bright stars above! Just incredible! I even heard that the opera “La Traviata” that I am going to watch was originally performed in this space! I hope there will be lots of tutus in that show too!
After a lovely afternoon of Ballet, what do you know? I'm also heading to La Scala on Saturday for "The Magic Flute." A ballet about the opera – amazing right?
As usual, my favourite thing about Milan is the mix of the old and new. A perfect mix of stunning historical architecture and fashion-forward trends that blend like a dream on the catwalk.
This beautiful city never fails to inspire, my love for ballet just grows when I'm here. And with Fashion Week, I just can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings, what pink tulle delight will grace my vision? Who knows! I'll be sharing it all with you right here. Stay tuned!
Love always,
Emma xxx
