Ciao bella! Emma here, bringing you another dazzling dose of pink tutu fabulousness straight from the heart of Milan! I’ve been absolutely swanning it around this stylish city, and let me tell you, it’s been nothing short of a dream!
As you all know, I’m a big fan of travelling by train, and this time was no different. My journey from Derbyshire, a good old fashioned train ride was perfect for catching up on my favourite ballet blogs and soaking up the view – that’s the beauty of a slow, leisurely trip. You get to really absorb the atmosphere of the place.
I was absolutely buzzing to be in Milan! I must admit, a part of me was wondering how my love of tutus would go down in the fashion-forward, minimalist streets of this Italian city, but, much to my delight, Milanites have truly embraced the pink tutu vibe. I’ve even spotted some trendy young ladies in the Quadrilatero della Moda wearing fabulous tutu skirts - I may even have subtly suggested they add some pink to their ensembles (don’t judge - spreading the pink tutu message is my calling!).
Speaking of fabulousness, this week in Milan has been a complete whirlwind of exciting happenings! On Tuesday, I took a lovely, scenic tram ride to the stunning Teatro alla Scala. The Teatro alla Scala is a renowned opera house in the heart of the city, renowned for its grandeur and historical significance. As an aspiring ballet dancer, you just have to experience the wonder of this place – it’s a proper fairy tale come to life. I simply had to see a performance and I managed to bag myself tickets to a delightful staging of Puccini’s La Bohème, with absolutely mesmerising opera singing and orchestral pieces. It was absolutely phenomenal, leaving me feeling completely swept away in the beautiful melodies and heartfelt performances.
I was particularly charmed by the sheer grandeur of the building – I was particularly impressed by the grand staircase, leading up to the sumptuous theatre itself. My little tutu twirled with delight at every corner! It felt like I was on the stage myself, ready to perform! Oh to have a chance to dance there – that would be a dream come true!
After my exhilarating night at the theatre, I simply had to indulge in some delightful shopping therapy – because who can resist a trip to Milan without splashing out on some stylish treats?! And with the abundance of fabulous boutiques and luxury fashion houses, Milan simply didn't disappoint. I discovered an amazing vintage clothing shop in a charming hidden street tucked away in the heart of Milan. It felt like stepping back in time – rows upon rows of stylish garments, sparkling like jewels just waiting to be discovered. I managed to snag a fabulous, vintage, sequined jacket, perfectly paired with my trusty pink tutu. Let’s just say I was very, very excited.
After my incredible treasure trove discovery, I strolled down the Corso Vittorio Emanuele II and just had to capture the gorgeous architectural delights – Milan really knows how to create stylish buildings. The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II with its incredible dome was an absolute visual treat – I mean, the architecture is just mind blowing! I can definitely see why the city is known as one of the fashion capitals of the world.
That evening I had a lovely pasta dish and a good chat with my friends from the English ballet classes. Every Monday night we gather to learn new steps and rehearse routines in a friendly, fun and vibrant environment. They really are like family, a big warm welcoming community and I’ve been so lucky to make such wonderful friends on this amazing trip. We are all working together on a performance for a local charity later this month, I will make sure you all have a little sneak preview, it's going to be magnificent, all our best moves and a spectacular final pose! I can't wait to twirl in a tutu under the Italian sky for such a good cause!
Later on this week, I discovered another wonderful hidden gem of a café, just a few tram stops away from my hotel. They offer a fabulous assortment of delectable Italian cakes and creamy cappuccinos – talk about divine. My personal favourite? It’s the millefeuille – a real Italian treat and oh so tempting. This place will certainly be making an appearance in my Instagram story and be featured in the ‘places to eat in Milan’ section of my website www.pink-tutu.com! Oh, by the way, you all must subscribe to my email list too – it will give you all the updates of my blog, new designs for the pink tutu and my travel itinerary! I know you will love it, subscribe today.
And as always, my friends, there’s simply no trip to Italy that’s complete without indulging in a little gelato. A creamy, melt-in-your-mouth flavourful experience with each bite. I had a little peek at a delicious pistachio flavour and a dreamy hazelnut gelato, oh so divine.
Thursday morning was another early start as I had to travel a little way out to see an absolutely enchanting production by Teatro dell'Opera di Roma at the Teatro degli Arcimboldi, A truly dazzling ballet and oh so enchanting.
For all my followers who haven’t tried to experience this particular ballet theatre, you should definitely make it a part of your bucket list, it truly is a magical, spectacular theatre with the most amazing backdrops, and, of course, a mesmerising show that I won't spoil the secret for you, you must simply go and see it. What I will say is, be prepared to be spellbound! My pink tutu went on an exciting whirlwind as I twirled to my heart's content! I mean, it really does come alive!
After the amazing performance I enjoyed a fantastic late afternoon coffee at a charming local cafe on the way back to the centre of Milan. They do the most delicious freshly made cakes and the coffee was the perfect temperature! I made friends with an adorable chihuahua that belonged to a couple sat at the next table – he was so incredibly sweet, a miniature ball of fluff. The owner was a delight, and so we chatted for ages, sharing stories of our travels and the charms of our chosen cities. I discovered that he loved fashion too. And guess what? You've guessed it, I mentioned my love of pink tutus, and wouldn’t you know it – he loved the idea, and we even got into a friendly debate about the possibilities of fashion! He didn’t like my initial idea, to just add a touch of pink to outfits, He had an ingenious plan – tutu accessories - Tutu necklaces, Tutu bags - Brilliant ideas.
Oh the fashion! And speaking of the fashion industry – this is definitely one of my favourite places on the planet, the shopping possibilities are endless! So of course, I did a little shopping in the centre of Milan this Friday and I managed to snap up some adorable vintage dresses and a stylish black-and-white polka dot skirt - Oh I simply have to share this outfit idea - I’m going to match it with my pink tutu, the black and white will complement the bright pink - and it’s totally Milan fashion, darling, chic, elegant, just look at the sleek outfits in every fashion magazine here - so stylish. And, if I don't say so myself – it looks great. Don't forget to share my amazing Milan fashion blog on social media and I hope you are going to join the pink tutu craze – make a statement with your style.
As the afternoon turned into evening, I decided to indulge in a rather special experience – dinner at a Michelin starred restaurant. Yes, it was definitely worth a treat! Milan really knows how to put together a culinary spectacle – from the attentive service to the stunning decorations to the beautifully prepared food, the entire experience felt like I was in a fancy ballet, all the choreography from the kitchen, the elegant movement of the staff, each delicious dish perfectly placed and perfectly choreographed, it was amazing.
A wonderful journey for my tutu – my Milan adventure has really inspired me to take on some challenges and put together an elaborate ballet programme for next month’s gala performance. It’s my way of showing appreciation for the vibrant culture that is Milan. But you can expect lots of tutu pink at my gala, the pink is in all of my performances to inspire all of you at home and all of you lucky enough to be at my ballet gala next month, to embrace the fabulousness and join the pink tutu revolution!
Of course, no trip to Milan is complete without a glimpse into the history of this magnificent city. So, this Sunday I treated myself to a rather interesting guided tour around Castello Sforzesco. Now I know that Milan is known as a fashion city but what I didn't know is how much the city boasts about its magnificent historical landmarks, The architecture of this Castle was just stunning! There’s a lovely garden and the most beautiful ornate decorations all around – really breathtakingly beautiful. I especially liked the museums and galleries housed inside – truly fascinating. There are exhibits about everything from music to archaeology, even art and a collection of weaponry from times gone by, just incredible.
A really enjoyable weekend with lots to see, from fashion shops and fabulous cafes, to grand theatre productions and captivating cultural sights - it’s no wonder why this beautiful Italian city is so incredibly inspiring, not just a fashion and artistic haven but a true, historical, artistic and cultural wonder, full of style, charisma, and creativity. And, of course, lots of great food and delicious ice cream - perfect.
So there you have it, folks! My fabulously pink tutu-fied week in Milan. And now it’s time for me to plan my next exciting trip! It could be Vienna, Madrid, London, Paris, maybe even Berlin – I'm feeling inspired but one thing is for certain - My pink tutu will be coming with me for all these travels – You know what they say: when in doubt, wear a pink tutu! I love it.
I can't wait to tell you all about it in the coming weeks. And until next time - Stay fabulous!
