A visit to Milan will make any fashion lover breathless with anticipation. The capital of Italy’s Lombardy region is the epitome of chic. Amongst the cobblestone streets you’ll find carefully curated designer dresses in exquisite boutiques. In the luxurious shopping arcades the flagship stores of Italian designers elegantly present their treasure, including the latest fashions for wedding dresses.
Milan is home to fashion heritage, history and cutting edge design. Here’s what you shouldn’t miss on a fashion tour of this wonderful city.
Quadrilatero della Moda
‘The golden rectangle’ takes its name from the four shopping streets that intersect in a part of Milan city centre just north of the Duomo.
Every high-end designer is represented here. Hermes, Versace, Dolce and Gabbana. If you can afford to, the shopping is a sumptuous delight. Window shoppers will also find much to impress. The architecture, window displays and streets are beautiful. Dressing to impress is a good idea as this is where you will find Milan’s elite.
The Brera District
An area of Milan in which to find Artisan shops full homewares and accessories. As the stores that visitors pass will show, fashion for the home and business is a serious business in Milan.
Armani Silos Museum
Situated in the stylish Tortona area of Milan, the Armani Silos museum is the designer’s own homage to his 40 years in fashion. The four floors of space display 600 Armani pieces and his digital archive. A must see for any fan of Armani and his influence on contemporary fashion.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
The birthplace of one of Italy’s most iconic fashion houses. In this opulent, glass covered shopping arcade you will find the first Prada store. Established in 1913 by Miuccia Prada’s grandfather Mario to display his collection of handmade travel accessories.
This jewel of a shop is as it was in the days when it was the first port of call for the discerning aristocracy. British made, beautifully crafted glass casings from then still stand proud. It’s like stepping back into a more refined time.
The Bulgari Hotel and Spa
Watch the beautiful people of Milan go by in this 18th Century Milanese Palazzo. Set down a quiet street in the commercial heart of the city, this gorgeous five star hotel and spa is an oasis.
Once inside you’ll find artfully landscaped gardens, delicious Italian food and world class spa treatments.
Corso Buenos Aires
One of the longest shopping streets in Europe. There are 1km of high street labels with an Italian twist. It’s not all about designer dresses in Milan and there’s a choice of outlets offering wedding dresses. There are plenty of excellent shops with more affordable prices – 350 in fact.
Fidenza Shopping Village
There’s undoubtedly great beauty to be found in the structure of the exclusive, high end shops of Milan’s central shopping district. However, if a getting your designer dresses for a bargain price is more important than the ambiance, then this place is for you.
Fidenza is an hour out of the city by car or bus and boasts Italian and international brands and designer names at up to 70% off the usual price. There are lots of food outlets so a good day could be spent mooching round the 200 shops and boutiques.
