In this stylish Northern Italian city some call the "New York" of Italy the only sin, besides poverty, seems "fatto la brutta figura." Cutting a poor figure does nott make it where even the restaurant help sport Armani jackets. Spend a few minutes on the streets in Milans "Golden Triangle" and the number of people wearing Armani, Valentino, the late Jimmy Versaces signature fashions support the claim that Milano, not Paris, is the most stylish city in Europe.
This isnt new. Milan got a fashion jump start way back in the fifties with the International-Style Pirelli buildings. Memphis, Milans most notable design group started back in 1981 and their wildly colored and shaped designs come in everything form chairs to china.
But fashion makes Milan special; given "millinery" derives from Milan this isnt a surprise. Today, fashion centers midway between the Piazza della Republica and the Piazza Duomo and La Scala, the traditional downtown. The so-called "Quadrilatero" between Via Monte Napolene Via santAndrea, Via della Spiga and Borgospesso sport a confusion of couturiers and a joust of jewelers. Ferre, Gigli, Doce &Gabbana these did Madonnas stage underwear Armani and Versace handle the clothing business and entertainment stars prefer. However, Italian leather may be a better bargain with Ferragamo, Gucci, Venta or Fratelli Rosseti
Style only starts with clothing and leather. Spots like G. Lorenzi run to oddments for those who may not have everything, but try. Fontana di Trebbia can even supply steamer trunks for the cruising soul who wants to bring everything. This goes on and on, so its fortunate that the areas just steps away from the Palazzo di Brera, the best introduction to Northern Italian painting and a fine way to start exploring Milan. Oddly enough, my wifes walks through Milan always place the Quadrilatero early on in the day.