Time for a fashion moment!

Do You Know The Italian City That Keeps Throwing Up Hidden Treats? From Cultural Must-Sees To New Hotels, There Is Always Something New To Enjoy Alongside This Tried And Tested Gem. Dive In To Get The Most Out Of A Chic Weekend Away In This City.

From churches and galleries to restaurants and shops, the design-centric places in the city. Which we got for you this month should be on your bucket list. And when it comes to the highlight of the regular catwalk schedule, that privilege has always sat with Milan: the fashion capital of the world. It’s no secret that Milan is one of the most fashionable cities in the world. From Milan Fashion Week to the Salon de Mobile, this trendsetting hub is perfect for exploring some of the best interiors, fashion, furnishings, antiques, and artwork. And we have long been in love with this design-centric Italian city.

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Milan is rife with beautiful architecture, sculpted gardens, and historic piazzas. Standing in the middle of the bustling city, it’s an amalgamation of the past and present with its majestic gothic cathedral. So how did this picturesque place become the fashion capital? How did it become the birthplace of iconic brand names like Gucci, Armani, Prada, Marni, and so many others? It might especially be a surprise considering the global fashion capitals, New York, Paris, and London, are exactly that — capitals. If you love fashion and are considering a trip to Milan, you need to add the stops to your list, that we curated just for you.

Dedar

Dedar is a family-run Italian fabric house that creates incredible upholstery, screen-printed textile wallcoverings, curtains, and sheers. The company is known for combining rich color palettes and unexpected patterns with precious yarns to create timeless and elegant fabrics.

Beloved by the design cognoscenti, not for its unifying aesthetic but for its freewheeling approach to pattern and texture. Their collection looks like no other and attracts people from around the globe. One of the company’s abstract florals has also been featured in the 2017 film, “Call Me by Your Name”; and installed their elegant-but-durable upholstery throughout the J.K. Place hotels.

Hermès has also collaborated with Dedar on fabrics and wallpapers since 2011. Its walls and ceiling are covered with wallpapers in a colorful jungle pattern that Dedar specially produced for Hermès.

Golden Rectangle

If Milan is the fashion capital of the world, then the Quadrilatero d’Oro district is the beating heart of this vibrant and stylish town. Long considered to be one of world’s most important centres of fashion and home to Milan’s most exclusive stores and workshops, the Quadrilatero d’Oro - unromantically translated as ‘The Golden Rectangle’. This name was given to a tangle of streets located just north of the Duomo. Every inch of this area is tightly packed with the best of haute couture, and is a veritable roll call of all the instantly recognisable high-end names including Armani, Salvatore Ferragamo, Prada, Versace and Valentino.

Often classed as one of the chicest and most expensive streets in the world, take a trip down via Monte Napoleone and it’s easy to see why. On this bustling street, you’ll find several Prada stores, the flagship Gucci store, Pucci, Cartier and Fendi to name a few. The ornately decorated storefronts of the Quadrilatero d’Oro make for a window shoppers paradise and provide the perfect inspiration to create the latest looks on your own.

Via Monte Napoleone

Being Europe’s Most Sophisticated Fashion District, Via Monte Napoleone is home to some of the most exclusive shoemakers and designers from Italy and across the world. The beautiful Via Monte Napoleone traces the old city walls built by Roman Emperor Maximian. In the first half of the 19th century, the street was reconstructed almost entirely in a neoclassical style and lined with the palaces of Milan’s highest aristocracy. As World War II came to an end, Via Monte Napoleone was transformed into Milan’s most sought-after fashion destination. The decadent drag is located in the heart of Milan’s Fashion Quarter and is known as the most expensive street in Europe. Fashion lovers flock to this upscale street for a look at the elaborate window displays and to browse the latest looks from world-famous designers. Tours of Via Montenapoleone are generally focused on the fashion industry while browsing the high-end boutiques.

Santa Maria delle Grazie

This Dominican convent may look simple from the outside, but its stunning interior and historical art make it a must-see for any design lover visiting Milan. The church is divided into a nave and two aisles. It reflects the typical Lombardy style at the beginning of the Renaissance. Throughout the church, you’ll find details such as ogival vaults, a gabled façade, earthenware masonry, and granite capitals hand-painted with Corinthian leaves.

Though most of this church was destroyed during air raids in 1943, two iconic paintings managed to survive: The Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci and the Crucifixion by Donato Montorfano. If you visit, make sure to also check out the Biblioteca Ambrosiana, which houses additional masterpieces by Da Vinci, Botticelli, Caravaggio, and more.

From the May 2023 issue of FHM India.