Milan, Italy - Fashion trip

Not only is Milan one of the fashion capitals of the world, but it is also the world capital of design and architecture. It is home to many famous Italian fashion brands such as Valentino, Gucci, Versace, Prada, Armani and Dolce & Gabbana.

I was lucky enough to go to Milan during fashion week and explore the Duomo Cathedral, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Armani Silos, visit the fashion school Istituto Marangoni, shop around 10 Corso Como and tour the main upscale fashion district, Quadrilatero Della Moda.

The Duomo Cathedral is spectacular the gothic architecture is breathtaking. It is the fifth largest cathedral in the world and the bronze statue of the Virgin Mary placed on the highest principle of Duomo is one of the most enduring symbols of Milan. I went to the top of the cathedral and overlooked the whole of Milan.

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is the world’s oldest active shopping mall. The arcade contains luxury retailers selling haute couture, books, paintings, jewelry and food. This includes Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, Versace and Chanel.

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Prada’s first ever store can be found in the Arcade, it became a favourite port of call for the aristocracy and the more refined and elegant members of Europe’s upper classes. In 1919 Prada was appointed Official Supplier to the Italian Royal Household; as such, it incorporated the House of Savoy’s coat of arms and knotted rope design into its logo(1). The first seven-star hotel, found in Milan, the Town House Galleria can be found above Prada.

The Istituto Marangoni founded in 1935 in Milan, is a private Italian school of fashion and design. They have schools in London, Paris, Miami, Mumbai, Shanghai, Firenze and Shenzhen. They have taught Franco Moschino, Domenico Dolce, Alessandra Facchinetti, Julie de Libran, Rahul Mishra, Rafael Lopez and Alessandro Sartori.

We went there to have a talk about fashion styling, we watched videos of the latest catwalks, trends and style. We studied the campaigns, fashion shows and fashion images of haute couture brands such as Prada, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana and Versace. I learnt about how much food, art, music and culture relates to fashion.

Armani Silos exhibition showcased 40 years of Armani fashion. It was divided into themes that have inspired and continued to inspire Giorgio Armani’s creative work, these were stars, daywear, exoticism, colour schemes and light.

STARS: Actors and actresses have been seen to wear Armani on screen, off screen and on the red carpet. Many have become friends with Giorgio Armani.

DAYWEAR: Armani explores androgyny through the exploration of his celebrated Armani jacket which is an everyday item. He is renowned for his use of neutral colours and reinterpretation of male fabrics to recreate the garment.

EXOTICISM: Floral and femininity are two areas that Armani has radically reinterpreted, overturning traditional gender codes. The strong influences of non-Western cultures can be seen in his dresses.

COLOUR SCHEMES: Armani likes to play with colour palettes and recreate himself.

LIGHT: Layers and layers of sheer fabrics create an ethereal dimension to Giorgio Armani’s clothes. A world that consist of light and transparency.

“I decided to call it Silos because this building used to store food, which is, of course, essential for life. For me, just as much as food, clothes are also a part of life” Giorgio Armani

We visited 10 Corso Como which is similar to Dover Street Market in London. The store was amazing, the interior design made you feel like you had been transported somewhere else. It combines outlets that sell art, music, design, fashion, cuisine and culture.

The highlight of my trip was, of course, the fashion tour around Milan. We explored the main upscale fashion district, Quadrilatero Della Moda, is home to the city's most prestigious shopping streets (Via Monte Napoleone, Via della Spiga, Via Sant'Andrea, Via Manzoni and Corso Venezia).

Milan is absolutely beautiful, I will defiantly be going back for Milan fashion week and to shop the Italian brands soon.

Bibliography:

Prada.com. (2018). Galleria 1913. [online] Available at: http://www.prada.com/en/a-future-archive/galleria/galleria-1913.html [Accessed 24 Feb. 2018].