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With
approximately 1,550,000 inhabitants, a round surface of about 182 sq.
km., 20 minutes are nevertheless sufficient, either by bicycle or underground,
to reach anywhere. Milan therefore, is a town on a human scale
but also industrialized, where everything must be perfect. In this
town there is something that nobody can imagine, the number of shop
windows on the streets or the hidden places where it is possible to
fine something interesting to buy. Everything at arms' length,
a paradise shining under our eyes. The most famous ones you know
already. Clothes are precious, jevels rich, design is trendy, Corso
Como 10, La Vetrina di Beryl, Biffi and the newly born Tad.
As an alternative suggestion, Purple where fantastica Toys can be found,
the "Gnagno" puppet with a zip through which all organs can be pulled
out. A place which reflects the passion of Matteo, the owner, who
also imports directly from Tokyo fabulous hand-spun Denim jeans. Next
on, Frip divided into two parts, a musical angle with Marcello, the
dj who gave us his best addresses and an angle where Anna, his wife,
specialized in finding new stylists, proposes independent labels. Stopping
at Antonioli near the Navigli is a must, located in one of the first
milanese cinemas. Next door hav a look at the Slam Jam boutique,
a true meeting point between streetware and fashion.
If one wants something really exciting, I would suggest going to the
boutique of Gentucca Bini (Via Pantano, 17) the youngest stylist participating
in the 2007 Autumn/Winter fashion parade, with a public of intellectuals,
artists and theatre actors. A particularly interesting chic. Colomba
Leddi (Via Revere, 3) is another atelier which creates ethnical women's
overcoats, contemporary innovations with unexpected embroidery here
and there. The newest Jewel and accessories Esquist Jay may be
partly found at Cavalli e Nastri together with many other things ; painted
floral iron brooches are beautiful. In Brera, Cavalli e Nstri,
the unique repository not only of vintage but also of really antique
pieces. The feeling is that of being at the backstage of a romantic
theatre amongst thousand of costumes, jewels and accessories. Other
intersting stop-overs for the vintage, Le Vintage (Via Garigliano, 4)
and Miss Ghinting (Via Borsieri, 16) beautiful clothes, boots, spectacular
bags, adorable brooches.
Wanting to bring a little of Milan inside one's house? At Spazio
900 one can find all the modern antique from the fifties to the eighties
and there is a vast possibility of choice. After which it's only
a question of packing, shipping, wearing, wrapping your space with things,
inviting friends and sharing everything with them. Relax with a
marvelous Milanese ristotto, a glass of wine at the Osteria del Binari.
My only advise, always maintain a sharp eye to discover beauty in its
many layers. Outside, shop windows and especially the courtyards,
the lovely details created by the hands of a dedicated dressmaker or
an artisan.
Once out of the image-oriented Milan, without masks or barriers other
realities can be discovered like social centers, which I attended when
I was a high school student. I still like to go every now and then
to that one in Corso Garibaldi, the smallest and nicest. Here
one dances, sings and if I pay beer for everyone, I feel great spending
only six euros. There you will find a whole world mixing. I know
Milan very well and it remains unchanged in my memories : a city where
a few barocco style facades spring out of the fog, quickly disappearing
again in mists of car gas exhausts or the dusts of building yards which
increasingly would like to render it almost an entirely pedestrian island,
a false garden leaving room to walk and stop in front of every shop
window.
by Dimitri Herkowits |
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