Streets of the World

July 7, 2025: Fashion Design Tour

written by

Brenda

When I think of Milan, I think of fashion so Rob booked a design tour.

I thought that it might start at the famous Galleria with its high end stores.
I struck a pose with the masses of tourists.
Even the floor is decorated with flair. Here once again is a nod to Rome.
Instead of shopping we decided to dine at The Galleria Restaurant.
They brought a complimentary dessert. The items on the right are chocolate covered ice cream. Bite sized Dillies!!!

Instead of the Galleria, we met our tour guide in the fashion district.

Our guide Rebecca took us to the Golden Quadrangle of Fashion.  The important crossroads are at Via Monte Napoleon and Via Della Spiga.

Front
Back
This is Rebecca and her own Italian style.

These streets are historically significant, originating in medieval times. One building recently sold for $1.5 billion.

There are four cities that are known for fashion: New York, Paris, London and Milan. Rebecca thinks that Milan is the most important fashion city. She said that half of the people of Milan work in the fashion industry and the other half in finance. Hmm. I am not sure of her math but she was making a point. Everyone dresses nicely.

Production and manufacturing occur only in Italy but not in Milan. This is where their marketing offices and showrooms are located. Showrooms aren’t open to the public. They are only for buyers. Public relations is a very important part of fashion.

Fashion Week occurs four times per year. The weeks in September and February are for women. January and June is for the men.

Rebecca works on campaigns and magazines.

Armani is the king of fashion, and Prada is the queen in Milan.

Armani, 91, is still very involved with his brand and does the window displays himself. Along with fashion, he has real estate, hotels with an underground disco, and there is even an Armani chocolate.

These black high end cars and limos are parked outside the Armani Hotel.

Armani designs the outfits for the Italian professional basketball team and for the Olympic teams.

After WWII there was an explosion of fashion. Women found  tailors to develop a style: Quiet luxury and simple elegance are the haute couture.

Anything with a logo would never sell in Italy. It is considered tacky. China and U.S.A. like to be flashy!

Zegna does only menswear and is huge in Milano. He originated as a wool supplier.

Brunello Cucinelli is known for his fitted jacket that wears like a second skin. It is a statement brand. Jackets for women are less fitted. He started as an interpreter and buyer and seller of cashmere.

Italians touch the fabric. One can feel the quality. They check the label to see what it is made of. One pays a lot of money so quality must be there because it is an investment.

Brunello Cucinelli was a peasant from the Umbria region in a small village called Solomeo. He wanted to bring his success to the village so everyone works for him. They are like a family and even enjoy their meals together.
This store is their largest.

Loro Piana is manufactured in Italy, and his family still owns the company after 100 years.

Cashmere from Loro Piana is sold to everyone. The cashmere comes from Mongolia. Baby cashmere is finer since it is shaved before one year.

Vicuña is a type of llama that lives in Peru. It is the rarest fabric on the planet.

Loro Piana has a partnership with Peru. They shave 600,000 vicuñas per year.  It takes two years to grow back. A vicuña jacket costs $40,000. If it isn’t your size, you have to wait for 6 months for another.

Dior made a big mistake and no Italians will buy Dior anymore. It was found out that they were getting cheaper cotton from China so it wasn’t made in Italy. The brand can no longer be trusted.

Via Gesú or Jesus Street is one of the oldest streets in the fashion district and was so named because there were convents on this street. Now it is also called Gentleman Street since menswear is displayed on this street such as Tincati.

The Bagatti Valsecchi Museum on Via Gesú is a house-museum with extraordinary collections. The house itself is not listed in any city guide. Although much of this area was destroyed during WWII, this house remained untouched.

Versace was bought by Michael Kors seven years ago. Italians were not pleased. Prada bought Versace two months ago and brought the brand back to Italy.

This is the home of Versace on Via Gesú. Rebecca said that it is open only once a year.
Sergio Rossi is an Italian brand of ladies shoes.
Borsalino makes only hats.
Many brands are in trouble as fashion is expensive. Maybe if they would not make a purple men’s shoe, they might do better.
Showroom
Rings
So=Le is an up and coming luxury jewelry brand made from recycled materials.

If you want to know more about fashion

Exterior
Interior
This convent was purchased two years ago by Marriott and has been converted to a fashion showplace for luxury brands called Portraits.

What’s In?

So I asked our fashion expert what are the current trends as it takes seven years for it to reach America.

  • Clogs now in the summer but heels are getting lower
  • Kitten heels 
  • Accessories
    • Mui Mui is most popular
  • Colors: brown and burgundy
  • Cowboy boots
  • Pleated skirts
  • Animal prints such as leopard and zebra

Some random thoughts on Italy before we go:

I never thought that I would say this: I am REALLY tired of pizza!

When I was in the shower, I even started to think that I smelled like pizza.

Then I noticed the scent. No wonder!! I like green peppers, but I don’t want to smell like one.
Here is a new way to unlock the door with a code that lights up.
Shower chromotherapy was an unusual experience. The changing colors while one showers are to promote relaxation and offer a better night’s sleep. Hmmm. Maybe I didn’t use it long enough.

Green: symbol of harmony, nature, balance and hope. It helps to spread harmony and calm.
Red: fire symbol. It is connected to strength, life, passion. Useful against depression, asthma, and impotence.
Blue: has a calming effect. Calms and refreshes, it is used against stress, anxiety and insomnia.
Yellow: promotes concentration at the gastric level (WHATEVER THAT MEANS)

All plastic bottles have screw caps that don’t come off. This is a newly enacted European law to cut down on plastic cap waste.
When you board a glass-covered funicular in 95⁰F afternoon, you quickly realize that you are in an oven. There is no air conditioning.  There might be a fan that spreads all the hot air around. Wait a minute! Isn’t that the theory behind a convection oven?

One response to “July 7, 2025: Fashion Design Tour”

  1. Beth Love Avatar
    Beth Love

    Loved this post. I’ve never been to Milan but now plan to. Thank you!

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