Milan was a city that had always eluded me – I had always heard good things but never quite made it to the fashion capital of Italy. So when the opportunity to head there to cover Milan Fashion Week for RUSSH popped up, I dove at the opportunity.

Heading there for a week in mid-autumn, Samantha Corry RUSSH’s Social Media Coordinator and I had expected cool, trans-seasonal weather. We were met instead with 30º balmy days – let’s just say despite travelling with the largest Carl Frederick bag I could find, I didn’t pack for such weather. But it was a welcome surprise as it made our first few days in Milan ones to remember – days of gorgeous sun beaming down on the Duomo, sitting in the streets eating a focaccia, having a Negroni Sbagliato on the street.

Amongst the Fashion Week flurry of events, running between backstage, shows, fittings and showings, Milan shone through as a modern and bustling city. It was a week to remember.

Stay

I’m very much of the belief that to survive a fashion week you need to have all the amenities of a home available to you. This is true of fashion weeks at home in Aus and fashion weeks abroad. So when it came time to source accommodation for Sam and I’s first Fashion Week, there was so no other option than Airbnb. The ability to have a full sized fridge stocked with food for the early morning breakfasts before Italy wakes, and the late night dinners after a show, was a godsend. Our Airbnb was charming and super conveniently located, with a tonne of public transport options right at our door and walking distance from shops and great restaurants. A norm for most Italian apartment blocks but not for us was the shared courtyard that featured turtles (!) and a gorgeous fountain, that added a little bit of calm to our frantic schedule. In typical European manner, there was a tonne of stairs to get to our apartment, something we knew from the outset when booking (we wanted to ensure we got our steps in). Aircon, Netflix, clothes washing amenities and a sweet view from our window, it was our own little Milanese oasis.

Eat and drink

As an Italian, I sometimes struggle to eat in Italy as the food at my Nonna’s rivals any restaurant I go to. Luckily we found some absolute bangers in Milan, and I still find myself craving the food there. My absolute favourite meal had to be the fresh spinach and ricotta ravioli I had at Bacaro Montenapoleone. It was incredible with a simple burnt butter and sage sauce, and was one of the freshest meals I’ve ever had. Just like nonna makes!

The best bar we went to in Milan had to be Bar Basso. Home and birthplace of the Negroni Sbagliato, the vibes were immaculate and the wait staff super attentive. Inside and outside seating, massive cocktails and free chips, what more could you want?

In true tourist style, we had to go to All’Antico Vinaio for their viral focaccia sandwiches, and they didn’t disappoint. I got my favourite combination of Italian deli favours – burrata, prosciutto, pesto and focaccia. That is the dream meal forever.

Notable mentions go to Antica Trattoria della Pesa, where Sam and I had a gorgeous Milanese Veal Schnitzel that we had to share due to its sheer size, and Marchesi 1824, the staple Milan café – we went to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II location which was perfect for people watching.

Do

Milan is a modern vibrant city with classic European charm. We really enjoyed checking out the Duomo and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele shopping arcade – the peak tourist spots. Peak luxury can be found in Montenapoleone, a mecca of our favourite luxury houses. For those more looking for a bargain vintage find, we loved Bivio, a vintage luxury store operating at three locations within Milan. Another favourite shopping space was 10 Corso Como – home to all the coolest brands and a gallery (we just missed a Glen Luchford exhibit!) On the cultural side, we would have loved to see the Last Supper that is on display in Milan – but you’ll need to grab tickets for that.

During Milan FW we were able to do a multitude of special things, such as viewing the Prada collection at the Resee, and the Giorgio Armani exhibition at the Armani/Silos. We also felt it was only right to try and hit up one of Lyas’ Fashion Week Watch Parties, and we headed to his party for Bottega Veneta to celebrate and view Louise Trotter’s debut collection.

Sam and I then caught the train from Milano Centrale to Paris Gare de Lyon – a seven hour train ride that was blissful and relaxing – definitely recommend this as the best way to travel between fashion weeks and just around Europe in general!

You can read more about our time in Paris.

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