Quadrilatero d’Oro

Buongiorno, Milano! Exit right from Montenapoleone metro station onto Via Manzoni and at the corner on the right are vintage gems at #29 Pennisi / 02 8622232. Continue past Grand Hotel et de Milan (see Accom./Classic) for cufflink king Villa at #23 / 02 804279, then cross Manzoni and pop into scent-ual Jo Malone at #18 / 02 76341313. Exit right and sail straight on, crossing Via Montenapoleone for Nobu Bar (see Bars) on the left, and glittering, one-of-a-kind resin jewel box Pellini Bijoux at #20 / 02 76008084. Suitably draped in baubles, push on along Manzoni to outlet royale #44 DMagazine (see Discount Designer), then turn right into Via della Spiga. On the left is #52 Pretty Ballerinas / 02 76028084 / for dainty flats; there are refined women’s casuals at Marisa / 02 76002082; stop for a label moment at femme fave Marni at #50; and opposite at #31 is Frette / 02 84254021 / with luxe linens and homeware. Keep trotting and pivot right onto Via Spiga for #42 I Pinco Pallino’s / 02 781931 / fairytale children’s outfits; #36 Alan Journo’s / 02 76001309 / dramatic hats and LBDs; and design treasure Nilufar (see Standout Décor). Opposite, on the corner of Via Santo Spirito, you’ll spy big hitter Lanvin at #25 / 02 97687091, then further along is Dolce & Gabbana at #26 / 02 795747. Zip past #23 Prada / 02 780465 / on the corner of Via Sant’Andrea to multibrand m/w fash, home and tome boutique Gio Moretti at #4 / 02 7600 3186, then Dolce & Gabbana Shoes at #2, and #1 Herno / 02 94432789 / with high-end puffers. To be coddled alla Milanese, turn right onto Corso Venezia for D&G Barbiere (see Spa). If not, skip back to Sant’Andrea and zip left to brand gal shoes at Iris #10a / 02 799988, m/w label lover Banner at #8a / 02 76004609, and fedora central Borsalino at #5 / 02 76017072. Continue to meet fabled label land Via Montenapoleone and make a left to treat yourself to a molto grande Prossy at #8 Cova / 02 76005599 / or return for a swellegant aperitivi at the bar later. Exit left, continuing on Montenap for society jeweller Sabbadini at #6 / 02 760098228, then double back and stock up on minimal m/w duds at #13 Aspesi / 02 76022478. Spin right into Via Gesù for suit maestro Brioni’s atelier (m) and RTW (m/w) at #2-4 / 02 76394019; Four Seasons (see Accom./Stylish) at #6-8 for a spot of tea or lunch, and shoe king Silvano Lattanzi (see Advanced Shopping) on the left at #11. Back on Montenap, carry on and zip right into Via Santo Spirito where you’ll find the likes of Valentino and Stella alongside the charm-ing Capri trinkets at Chantecler at #5 / 02 37011903, and say ‘shoe-me-do’ to Gianvito Rossi (Sergio’s son) at #7 / 02 76280988, on the left. On the right are Corto Moltedo at #14 / 02 36683713 / with pop-luxe accessories like a huge clutch in the shape of a cassette; arty mod bling at #14 Vhernier / 02 77331560; and contempo guys’ and gals’ RTW at Mauro Grifoni opp. at #17 / 02 76025920. Back at #10, zip into the courtyard of Palazzo Valsecchi for lunch or apero at Il Salumaio di Montenapoleone / 02 76001123, or, for one last retail stop, retrace to Montenapoleone, turn right and continue for Giuseppe Zanotti’s killer men’s sneaks / 02 76316808. Joy!