Milan Scene
In Milan, it's impossible to run out of ideas of what to do while visiting the city.
With the new year, Milan is buzzing and ready to welcome visitors to its latest locations. There are fresh opportunities to shop, eat and drink around the city. Here, suggestions of what shouldn't be missed.
Etro Unique Etro has recently launched Etro Unique, the brand's new made-to-order service for men, on Milan's Via Montenapoleone. The location represents the first retail space for the Italian brand offering the tailoring service to its customers.
The service is available by appointment and customers can choose from various silhouettes and participate in shaping the fit and details of their garment. Suits, jackets, gilets and trousers are fully customizable and clients can draw inspiration from 80 fabrics, 45 linings, 28 button styles and more, ranging from tie interlinings to melton under collars.
The new tool is the result of an established tailoring service strengthened through the years in key markets such as Italy, North America and Japan.
Three main fits of predefined silhouettes are presented: slim, regular and comfort.
The fabrics on offer include not just those developed by Etro but also a range of cloths provided by brand partners Dormeuil, Piacenza 1733, Holland & Sherry and Drago Lanificio in Biella.
Via Montenapoleone, 5 – 20122; etro.com
Artknit Studios Artknit Studios, the sustainable knitwear brand founded in Biella, Italy, in 2018 by Alessandro Lovisetto, has opened its first flagship in Milan. After the opening of two temporary units in Milan in the last two years, the brand has found its permanent home in the Cadorna district, in Via Metastasio, 1.
The brand has been recognized for its high-quality products made of natural and biodegradable materials such as extrafine merino wool, superior cashmere and organic cotton, among others. In order to have a short, transparent and ethical supply chain, Artknit's pieces are crafted in small and medium-sized family-run businesses based around Italy.
In 2023 Artknit Studios obtained B Corp certification mainly for its commitment to conscious consumption, and environmental and social performance. The store design was entrusted to the architecture studio Offstage, which was able to reflect the philosophy of the brand through a few design elements: a wool fiber carpet in neutral tones; oak wood panels for chests, shelves and walls; an organic fabric for the dressing rooms, and a metal mesh structure, with laminate containers and a mirror in the center of the space. The store was designed to host initiatives and events, to be a meeting place for the brand's community.
Via Metastasio, 1 – 20123; artknit-studios.com
BroadWine BroadWine, a new Milan destination for food and wine, has opened in Via Bartolomeo Eustachi. The founders are Luca Marcellin and Desiree Brunet, who also own the Drinc Group with two locations in Milan, Drinc and Drinc.different.
Brandless Studio is behind the interior design project, which was inspired by Milan's traditional bar of the '70s and '80s characterized by polished marble, fine boiserie, geometric patterns and processed wood. The studio decided to replace the counter with a design table called “il palco [the stage].”
The offer ranges from aperitifs to drinks and dinner. The wine list comprises more than 100 labels from the range of Italian regions and the kitchen is led by Mauro Molon, who has trained in restaurants and hotels between Padova and Milan plus a two-year experience in Bolivia and one year in Spain. His dishes are influenced by his adventures abroad, such as Iberian pork, black garlic mayonnaise, chives and potato salad.
Via Bartolomeo Eustachi, 29 – 20129; broadwine.it
Casa Tobago Casa Tobago was founded by interior designer Alessandro Cesario and manager Christian Brigliadoro at Viale Umbria, 120. The 4,635-square-foot location includes a large outside area. Design studio Atelier P drew inspiration from London clubs for the interior with English prints, black-and-white photos of music stars of the '70s, travel books and 19th-century portraits.
Guests can sit at the marble counters in front of the two open-style kitchens. At the helm of the first kitchen is executive chef Tommaso Croci, who offers all grilled courses. Umberto Iervolino is in charge of pizzas, focaccias and pitas. Food and beverage manager Alberto Corvi heads the cocktail bar. “Through Casa Tobago we wanted to convey the passion for travel and offer an experience of the international rock atmosphere,” says Cesario.
Viale Umbria, 120 – 20135; casatobago.com
Gloria Osteria The storied Brera district has welcomed a new food destination at Via Tivoli, 3. Gloria is the project of the international food group Big Mamma, inspired by the party vibes of the '60s.
It spans 7,992 square feet and seats 226 guests. The space was designed by Studio Kiki, based in London, which covered the restaurant in more than 10,000 square feet of artisanal fabrics in different patterns.
The lamps are handmade in Murano, famous for its glass making, and there is an open-style kitchen. It is led by chef Manuel Prota together with general manager Peppe Cacciapuoti. The offer is based on traditional Italian cuisine with some influences from England, Spain and Germany thanks to more than 170 suppliers from across Europe.
The restaurant's signature dishes are large lobsters with hollandaise sauce and extra caviar and veal croquettes with tuna sauce. Among the desserts are a chocolate soufflé and the XXL cup of artisanal fior di latte ice cream with a large variety of toppings.
Via Tivoli 3 – 20121; gloria-osteria.com
“Michel Haddi: Beyond Fashion” Exhibition The 29 Arts in Progress gallery, after presenting the first part of the exhibition dedicated to French-Algerian photographer Michel Haddi at the end of 2023, is showcasing the second section until March 16. It features the most memorable images of his career, which spanned more than 40 years, drawn from his large archive of famous faces, top models, icons and legends from the worlds of music and art, ranging from John Galliano to Nicholas Cage and Sarah Jessica Parker, among others.
This second exhibition phase will offer not only unpublished shots, but also evocative, brightly colored pictures packed with '90s tropical American atmospheres, often linked to famous ad campaigns created by Haddi for brands such as Versace, Chanel, Giorgio Armani and Yves Saint Laurent.
29 Arts in Progress Gallery; Via San Vittore, 13 – 20123; 29artsinprogress.com
“Juergen Teller, I Need to Live” Exhibition The Triennale Milano museum is hosting the “Juergen Teller, I Need to Live” exhibition until April 1. Through more than 1,000 works between framed and unframed prints, documents in display cases, including copies of the photographer's books, and audio visual works, the show celebrates the photographer's career. Over the years he has portrayed his own family, including his mother, wife Dovile Drizyte and children, as well as Kate Moss, Catherine Deneuve and Iggy Pop, among scores of others. He has also shot numerous fashion campaigns plus landscapes and personal interests.
The exhibition was curated by Thomas Weski in collaboration with Teller and his wife with the support of Saint Laurent and its creative director Anthony Vaccarello.
Triennale Milano; Viale Emilio Alemagna, 6 – 20121; triennale.org