And we’re off!!! Milano Cortina 2026 kicked off in the most Italian way possible: big fashion energy, lots of colour, and zero chill. It was confident, expressive, and basically screamed “ciao bella” from start to finish. There were paper-mâché composer bobbleheads. Painted dancers as various Italian motifs. The ceremony paid tribute to Giorgio Armani, who we lost recently, with the Italian tricolour brought to life through flowing silks and sharp tailoring. Green, white and red moving like choreography across the stadium. Elegant, emotional, and exactly what you’d expect from Italy. Oh, and history was made. The first all-women honor guard. An Italian flag made up of Armani suits. Genuinely iconic. Laura Pausini closed it out with the national anthem, joined by a mountain choir in Cortina. Stunning. Goosebumps all round. Then Mariah Carey turned up in full winter wonderland mode, throwing in whistle notes on Volare and proving once again that her Christmas wardrobe has no expirat...