(Marquette Global Post: Edited)
I'll be the first one to admit it: I don't know anything about the fashion industry, nor have I tried to learn anything about it. However, no matter what your taste or opinion is on the subject, it's a major aspect of life in Milan. The city has a sort of energy about it, and you can feel it just by walking the streets. Chic, trendy, and any other word to describe one's appearance ("la bella figura" in Italian) seemed to have originated here. Given that it's women's fashion week at the moment, Milan's streets and piazzas have quite literally turned into live runways.
The concept of "la bella figura," as previously mentioned, has to do more than just how you dress. It means "beautiful figure," and it describes every aspect of how you present yourself: the way you dress, talk, walk, etc. Because of this, I don't believe you have to dress in high fashion to be accepted by the Milanese; it's all about how you express yourself and your personality. It's an interesting concept as an American, because we generally care much less about our "everyday life" clothing, while in Milan and Italy as a whole, it's a way of life. This cultural difference can definitely teach you how to carry yourself more confidently day to day, even back in the States.
I decided to write about fashion in Milan after 3 friends and I went out to try to catch a show. We waited outside (without an invite) a show for "Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini," and were quite skeptical about actually getting in. After those with an invite were let in, there were a group of about 10 people waiting outside the door. Eventually, the guards let us through (for free), and we saw the entire show.
The next day, we camped outside a large show just to see what it would feel like. It was rainy and cold, but outside the Salvatore Ferragamo show, we saw many famous models and socialites walk in. One that I happened to halfway recognize was Anna Dello Russo, an Italian fashion magazine editor for Vogue, who is quite well known in this realm. Mercedes after Mercedes with black tinted windows were swarmed by paparazzi, with famous guests being escorted by an entourage into the show. It amazed us, and made for a true adventure in Milan. I couldn't be more grateful to have experienced something so unique!
I'll be the first one to admit it: I don't know anything about the fashion industry, nor have I tried to learn anything about it. However, no matter what your taste or opinion is on the subject, it's a major aspect of life in Milan. The city has a sort of energy about it, and you can feel it just by walking the streets. Chic, trendy, and any other word to describe one's appearance ("la bella figura" in Italian) seemed to have originated here. Given that it's women's fashion week at the moment, Milan's streets and piazzas have quite literally turned into live runways.
The concept of "la bella figura," as previously mentioned, has to do more than just how you dress. It means "beautiful figure," and it describes every aspect of how you present yourself: the way you dress, talk, walk, etc. Because of this, I don't believe you have to dress in high fashion to be accepted by the Milanese; it's all about how you express yourself and your personality. It's an interesting concept as an American, because we generally care much less about our "everyday life" clothing, while in Milan and Italy as a whole, it's a way of life. This cultural difference can definitely teach you how to carry yourself more confidently day to day, even back in the States.
I decided to write about fashion in Milan after 3 friends and I went out to try to catch a show. We waited outside (without an invite) a show for "Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini," and were quite skeptical about actually getting in. After those with an invite were let in, there were a group of about 10 people waiting outside the door. Eventually, the guards let us through (for free), and we saw the entire show.
The next day, we camped outside a large show just to see what it would feel like. It was rainy and cold, but outside the Salvatore Ferragamo show, we saw many famous models and socialites walk in. One that I happened to halfway recognize was Anna Dello Russo, an Italian fashion magazine editor for Vogue, who is quite well known in this realm. Mercedes after Mercedes with black tinted windows were swarmed by paparazzi, with famous guests being escorted by an entourage into the show. It amazed us, and made for a true adventure in Milan. I couldn't be more grateful to have experienced something so unique!
Anna Dello Russo outside Ferragamo Fashion Show
Sfilata di "Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini" --Universita` degli Studi-Milano Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini Fashion Show
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