MILAN: A GUIDE TO THE FASHION CAPITAL
La Dolce Vita…living the dream life in Italia has always, always been a dream of mine. Ever since I was a little girl, listening to my father and his friends talk about living in Italy in the 80’s and working as young fashion designers, I have yearned to go. My dream finally came true in the summer of 2017, when I lived in the Eternal City (Rome) for a month. My weekends were spent traveling to different cities within Italy, and when my art history program ended, I spent another month traveling through other parts of Europe.
My love of Italy didn’t just end there, though: I decided to head back to Milan this past spring, the one city I did not get to visit. Reflecting on this trip months after it happened was partly the reason I started my blog, which was a way for me to discuss my travels and really think about what made the journey so memorable, while simultaneously providing tips and great spots to visit for others.
GENERAL INFO: The fashion capital of Italy, Milan had more of a city vibe reminiscent of New York. It did not have too many classic Italian buildings, or the cute side streets that are found in Venice and Florence. If you’re looking for a more traditional visit to Italy, Milan is definitely more of a fast paced, urban city-because of this, English is pretty much spoken everywhere. I was also surprised at how diverse the city is: there are many immigrants living in this cosmopolitan city from all over the world than I found in other parts of Italy. In terms of culture, people and food, this was particularly refreshing, especially given that I am a woman of color, and traveling abroad to new cities can often come with some surprises.
GETTING AROUND (TRANSPORTATION):Public transportation in Milan is fast, on time and super reliable. Not only are there trains and underground subways that run on time (compared to NYC) the old streetcars are a great way to get around the city while still getting to take in the city sights.
WHERE TO STAY: Fortunately for me, one of my good friends lives in Milan, and I was able to stay with her. Her apartment was located in the neighborhood of Porta Venezia, which was quaint and residential, but also conveniently positioned near one of the main shopping streets with plenty of restaurants and little parks as well.
WHAT TO DO: Walk around. One of my favorite parts about visiting Italy is the walking. It is the fastest way(besides biking) to see new neighborhoods, and because I was only staying for three days, I was able to see more of the city that way. However, I did visit in early March, and the beginning days of Spring were just starting, so I suggest visiting in any time between April-October, when the days are are definitely warmer.
Duomo: Iconic, timeless, classic, cliche? Say what you will, the Duomo di Milano is breathtaking. If you’ve visited others parts of Italy, such as Florence and Venice, you will know that Milan has the most iconic. A frequent tourist attraction, beware of pick-picketers and guys trying to feed the pigeons.
Fondazione Prada: A cultural institution, the existing space was designed by OMA, but was initially founded in 1993. It is comprised of existing buildings combined with new structures, as well as the common public space. My friends and I did not actually see any of the exhibits ( to enter the indoor art exhibits and events, you have to pay somewhere around 12 euros) but exploring outside is welcome. We visited at sunset, and the reflection off the mirrored buildings and golden facades was breathtaking. The newest structure, pictured below, stands at 60 meters tall and was just completed this year-it certainly was recognizable from far, and houses the permanent collection. Fondazione is definitely worth a visit, and I suggest also visiting the Bar Luce, the cafe located inside the Fondazione which was actually designed by the director Wes Anderson.
WHERE TO SHOP: 10 Corso Como. A grand bazaar filled with trendy brands such as Margiela, Lanvin, Comme des Garçons, this luxurious and stylish shop also features a cafe, art exhibit, rooftop space and curated bookshop. What I loved about the shop most was the layout and design, which featured colorful art installations and creative wall displays to highlight the clothing and accessories.
Vintage Shopping! With multiple locations throughout Europe (we visited in Berlin as well) Humana was my favorite shop we visited while in Milan. We picked up stylish fur coats for 30 euros, which is around $35 dollars, as well as vintage Hermes scarves and cute Berets.
WHAT TO EAT: Of course, everything Italian. We visited a couple of good restaurants, and just like every other Italian city, Milan has its own specialty; risotto. So make sure to try it. As I mentioned before, Milan is a diverse city, and another one of it’s specialties is sushi. All you can eat sushi buffets are extremely popular, with most restaurants charging only 12 euros at lunch, 18-20 euros at dinner. I wasn’t expecting this at all when coming to Milan, and it was a pleasant surprise (even though I really only wanted to eat Italian food) and a must try as well.
Visiting Milan was a dream destination, located in one of my favorite countries. If I visit again, I will definitely make sure to make it for Milan Design Week, which takes place each year in early April. You can read more about this on the Design feature of my site, where I talk about India Mahdavi's Bar (which actually debuted during this year's design week, and I am definitely upset that I missed). Thanks for reading, and enjoy Milano for me:)