Milano’s Fashion District

Among the revolutionaries and models off the catwalk.

After two years, Milano’s Fashion Week Show returns to "town" next week, and to celebrate, I'd like to share a few notes about one of the world's most famous fashion districts with you.

Walking down Via Della Spiga means walking alongside models fresh from fashion shows or photo shoots and celebrities. Prada, Moschino, Gucci, Armani, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana and Valentino stores, to name a few, are all present with their elegant extravagance and brightly lit shop windows.

Elegant and very wealthy ladies, enter with a smile and exit with an even bigger smile, their bags of haute-couture purchases “festoon” their arms: stiletto shoes, fine leather handbags, figure-hugging dresses and more.

Between Via Montenapoleone and Via Senato, the well-known fashion district, or "quadrilatero della moda", was home to small merchants, artisan's workshops, taverns, middle-class houses, public bath-houses, stables, and carriage courtyards.

Today's famous and wealthy district was a revolutionary hotbed during the Risorgimento, the period preceding Italian unification. At number 17 Via della Spiga, lived Francesco Restelli and at number 30 Palazzo Garzanti, Cesare Correnti laid down the manifesto that launched the "Cinque Giornate di Milano" revolt in 1848 against the Austrian domination.

Last, many of the district's 17th century buildings or Palazzi were once convents, today luxury hotels.

Tip : If you are addicted to fashion but don't want to break the bank, there are two options for shopping in town: either wait for sales or head to outlets with us. We offer you a personal shopper concierge service.

Arrivederci Simo & Mic