Milan city guide: discover the Italian capital ahead of fashion week

City by City

Make the most of the capital of fashion and design as the city hits its seasonal highlights, with local WGSN insider Diana Lee.

Sep 15, 2024

Duomo Milan / WGSN original image

Officially back from summer holidays, Milan gears up for a fully booked September. This season’s Fashion Week is just about to take off, coupled with numerous trade shows such as footwear fair MICAM Milano, global fashion showcase WHITE Milano and leather international exhibition Lineapelle.

To make the most of your visit, head to the Duomo area and its surroundings, exploring various high-street and designer shops. For wearable colourful prints and eclectic styles, WAIT and SEE is worth a visit while interior design lovers will find their shopping paradise at Bitossi Home.

Known for its small luxury boutiques, art galleries, antique stores and markets, the Brera neighbourhood is also home to a new Astier de Villatte store, its first one outside Paris, showcasing artisanal ceramics and perfumes with a French twist.

Not far from there, recently opened Carhartt WIP demonstrates the brand expansion in Milan, with exclusive products and collabs. For womenswear finds with a joyful and ironic touch, visit Milanese shop Milaura in Garibaldi, featuring 250 international luxury brands.

Are you visiting Italy for the food? Make sure to check out both TOW-The Odd Wine, a fresh Mediterranean tapas bar with a curated wine list and ULTRAMARINO, another trendy wine-centred spot with seafood-based sharing plates. The perfect address for a foodie outing, family-owned dried fruit concept store Noberasco1908 is a delight for the eyes and the stomach.

Art aficionados are spoiled for choice in Milan, with a myriad of museums to explore. However, multidisciplinary centre MUDEC is a must for its ethno-anthropological collection of over 7000 works of art, textiles and musical instruments.

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