The Secret Guide to Milan
From negronis to performance wear, here are our creative director’s go-to spots in Italy’s fashion capital
DURING MY MOST RECENT TRIP TO MILAN, IN JUNE, I BUMPED INTO A LOCAL I know who asked, at least half seriously, “You’re here so much, why don’t you just get an apartment?” It’s a good question. I’ve been in Milan more than a hundred times since starting as a fashion writer in the ’90s. This year I’ve been four times, and I’ll be back in a couple weeks. I have always loved it.
Milan is a bustling, working city that is home to roughly 1.5 million people. In the past decade, it has transformed into a thoroughly modern place that lives proudly on its reputation for being a world leader in contemporary style, art, and design. And while big-designer fashion is usually a magnet for most visitors, I tend to frequent stores you’ll find only in Milan. And I prefer bars and restaurants that are reliable rather than fashionable. Here’s my slice of Milan.