Your passage to a great business trip in Milan, Italy.
Heading to Lineapelle or MICAM or any other fashion trend expo in Milan, Italy? Or how about some much needed time off?
Get inspired, shop, fall in love with sweets and hot chocolate – all in one day! The cities of Italy showcase past, indulge in the modern present, and hint at the future with trend insight. Shopping and eating in Italy are only two of the main attractions in a city like, Milan. The Lombardy region city has become the hub of conducting business in the fashion industry. However, doing business in Milano does not have to be so…stiff!
Board the Milan Metro at Stazione Centrale to the Lineapelle or MICAM fair. Take a selfie at the Gothic Duomo di Milan Cathedral and absorb all its wonder. Stop over at 10 Corso Como for the chocolates – but do keep in mind, siestas are very real! Gaze at the architecture of the residential buildings and wonder how much it may remind you of walking down some streets in Brooklyn, Philly, or other notable North Eastern boroughs.
Or just simply enjoy the city and focus on your next illustrations. Whatever your reason to travel to Milan, we’ve got you covered with an itinerary fit for the Do’er.
Take Off
Country: Italy
City of Interest: Milan
Frequent Flyer Miles
The city of Milan is:
- 4,014 miles from New York City
- 5,800 from Hong Kong
- 6,033 miles from Los Angeles.
Relax
Obviously, we are envious of those coming in from New York. Any European trip is nice and short for the most part on any budget from JFK or Laguardia airport. For us LAX transports, it is very important to wear your best trainers and stock up on snacks before boarding in case you happen to book a connecting flight via Heathrow or Gatwick, London!
Expense Report
Flight plus hotel for a 3-day trip can range from $700-$1200 per person. A rental car is not needed because the metro gets you around quite nicely. The Milan Metro is pretty straight forward as any other underground or subway. Each single trip is around 1,50Euro. Also, it is nice to board a trolley every once in a while to take in the city scene.
Expect to spend ALL of your money here (1 USD=0.89 EURO).
Forecast
The climate here is pretty much like any other Eastern City. Dress warm for the winter and bring a light jacket for the spring and summer. Nights can get chilly as you choose to walk from place to place. In my experience – ladies will want to pack an extra pair of stockings if you plan to go in February. And because this is Europe, a micro umbrella would be a good idea.
Time Management
Going to Lineapelle or Micam? You can plan your trip around the show dates. I like to make sure we are headed out on the redline M1 metro by 8:30am or so to get to the RHO Fiera Milano just after 9:30am (if you are by appointment, you want to get there about 9am). Finish the show around 5pm and make it back into the city in time for some window shopping and dinner.
Next Dates for Lineapelle: February 20 – 22, 2019
Next Dates for MICAM: February 10 – 13, 2019
Doing some serious product development shopping or personal shopping during the events? Then you want to leave a day or two to explore the Duomo area galleries, Corso Como, and the shops along the canals. You can never have enough time in Italy because there is just too much to see!
Stay
The Klick Hotel in Milan. This adorable boutique hotel has so much to offer, you must plan a little in advance before they are booked! Located just steps from Stazione Milano Centrale, it is in the heart of all your shopping plans while in Milan. This is a boutique hotel that has an accommodating staff that are friendly and want to make sure your stay is perfect. The Klick Hotel is tucked away on the 7th floor of the Via Antonio da Recanate building. There are amazing views of the station from almost every room and suites are available as well.
Eat
Whenever I travel to Milan, I think about which meal I want to spend the most on. A chocolate croissant and cappuccino for breakfast can run around $3.00 and lunch can be a salad, caprese sandwich, and a drink for about $10.00. Now dinner. That is the expense to splurge on which can run you anywhere between a modest pizza meal or a beautiful hand made pasta dinner at Noblesse Oblige for about $12. – $15.
I need to highlight this restaurant because my fellow designers and I had a wonderful time here and the seafood pasta did not break the bank at all. It quickly became our go-to for dinner a short walking distance from the Klick Hotel. The owners were amazing – chef Paul Kler has a wonderful menu that is both decadent and mouthwatering. There is a very comforting feeling here and it just walking distance to the Stazione Milano Centrale (Milano Central Station). Noblesse Oblige is located @ Via Franchino Gaffurio, 1, 20124 Milano MI, Italy.
Another spot to try is Camillo Benso (Palazzo dell’Informazione, Piazza Cavour, 2, 20121 Milano MI, Italy). Man, I ADORE this restaurant.
Named after the Count of Cavour, this restaurant and bar produces a pizza that is fresh and fantastic, appetizers to live for, and the hot chocolate is something you will never forget (I cannot mention enough how decadent hot chocolate is in Milan, its incredible). There are also more indulgent plates to try like the lobster and seafood risotto. From the State-side-born hostesses (really, our waitress was from, Chicago), to the bar service – everything is amazingly nestled right beyond the Arches of Porta Nuova.
If your plans find you in Italy during Milan fashion Week, select outdoor seating for front row view of the real runway from the streets.
– Tanita S. Gray
Next Dates for Milan Fashion Week – February 19 – 25, 2019
I have heard of people who have stayed in Milan for all 3 events! That is at least 2 weeks stay, enough time to brush up on your Italian.
Shopping
RUFUS – located just above Corso Buenos Aires shopping strip. They have amazing Made in Italy shoes at incredible prices. All leather, well made and you can be sure each pair is unique. Siesta is in full swing here so make sure it is the first stop on your list. – Via Vitruvio, 35, 20124 Milano MI, Italy.
Corso Buenos Aires shopping strip – all the high street shops are there as well as Italian – based shops like the wonderful Concept Store @ San Pietro Milan Cafe. They have a boutique cellar, and a great merchandise selection of apparel and shoes.
Duomo – of course you want to take in the shops here as well as gawk over the creative wonder of the Cathedral. The Rinascente department store in the heart of the square, has a very unique shoe shopping experience – make sure you go to the annex location as well! Everyone falls in love with Gellato. Fall in love with the pistachio flavor at Le Tre Gazzelle Milano. Trust me, you will want order the triple scoop!
10 Corso Como – as I mentioned, do some shopping, see an exhibit, have dinner, and pick up a handful of those fantastic chocolates. Also in this area are plenty of boutiques to obsess over.
Be The Trend-Forecaster
You cannot go to Milan without taking photos. If you are traveling for work – it is going to be an unspoken requirement to bring back photos for the R&D team. More than likely you will be conducting some kind of presentation, so images are important.
Capture hundreds of photos from the street scenes and the shops (don’t get caught – people hate it when you snag photos of their merchandise display). So its a good idea to ask, “do you mind if I take photos?” before you snap.
Images of your trip will serve as a resource to use for years to come as design research collateral, and as memories.
Bespoke Shoes
If you want to see shoe-making in action, try hand-made shoes from, Stivaleria Savoia (via V. Monti angolo via F. Petrarca, 8 20123 | Milano). With so much happening in androgynous trends, this mens shoemaker can certainly hammer out a great pair of women’s tassel loafers. I have to say that I am a tad bit partial to the horseshoes and bits that are hanging around in the shop.
Get Shoes Made In Italy…
If you are in the industry and have visited Linepelle – you may have seen my friend, Walter of Bettini & Penazzato. The duo owns and operates a design studio out of a historic building in, Venezia to help develop and execute your footwear collection. The team can produce mens and womens footwear from oxfords to sports shoes, and stiletto heels. They produce beautiful lasts and offer A to Z design development for you in Italy. Click on the link above for contact, and do tell Walter I said, Ciao!
Please remember
Traveling throughout Europe does not require a hefty suitcase or multiple units of heavy fashion plate styles. There are plenty of ups and downs, stairs, lines and charter buses you may have to take so your luggage is important. You should be able to fit your outfits in an expandable weekender bag just fine. It is the empty carry-on suitcase you may need as you collect swatches from vendors, small gifts, purchased shoes, and apparel to bring back home. Unless Fedex is your personal friend, do count on bringing along an extra suitcase for your finds. Double check your baggage claim allowance and prepare for an extra luggage fee if you are over the weight limit.
Want a custom and comprehensive Do’er itinerary plan for you or your team?
Contact me: tanita@last-report.com
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