Michał Jackowski's Social Mirror exhibit at Il Salotto di Milano
Staying in Milan’s Living Room
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, connecting Piazza del Duomo (home to the iconic Duomo di Milano) and Piazza della Scala, is a prime location for seeing the city's brightest. It’s a Milanese icon with marble floors, intricate mosaics, and towering glass windows housing the newest boutiques
Little did I know, it’s possible to stay within the Gallery itself. A small luxury hotel, Galleria Vik Milano, is housed inside and even has rooms on the roof. Each room is named after and decorated with works by a local artist. A hidden gem and treat
Made in Italy @ Via Monte Napoleone
The beating heart of Milan’s fashion scene is Via Monte Napoleone, located in the Golden Quadrilateral (the fashion district). As damaging as it may be to the wallet, it offers a feast for the eyes with its cobblestone streets, lamp posts, grand architecture, and beautifully crafted storefront windows
Here, you’ll find many Italian homegrown boutique maisons like Giada and Meij Meij, often unavailable anywhere else in the world. Unlike flashier fashion streets in other capitals, this one embodies the Italian approach: understated, elegant, and impeccably tailored
‘Miniature’ Theatre of Design. In the 1950s, Italy’s fashion industry was emerging from the devastation of World War II, but economic conditions made it difficult for designers to produce full-scale fashion shows. As a result, miniature mannequins were introduced as a creative solution. These iconic models can still be found at the Teatro della Moda, a museum dedicated to design that reflects the historical creations of celebrated Italian designers like Prada, Giorgio Armani, and Valentino. The museum also features exhibitions by emerging artists, showcasing the evolution of Italian fashion and design
Train Stop from Milan to Reggio Emilia: A lesser-known gem near Milan is Reggio Emilia, a historic Italian town renowned for its stunning architecture, vibrant theatre festivals, and, of course, Max Mara. One of Italy’s most revered fashion houses, Max Mara is famous for its outerwear and coats—my personal favorite
Established in 1950s by the Maramotti family in Reggio Emilia, the brand continues to thrive today with over 100 stores worldwide, with its headquarters and factories still rooted in this charming town. I couldn’t resist stopping by to pay tribute to the brand and explore the Maramotti Collection Museum, which showcases the brand's rich history and iconic designs
Max Mara's flagship store in Milan
Climbing the 250+ Steps to the Duomo di Milano Rooftop: Like any trek up a mountain, climbing the Duomo di Milano is well worth the effort. The view from the top is beautiful. From the Duomo, you can see the Alps in the distance and the lively piazzas below
As an avid lover of everything Italian—language, food, wine, men, and their accents—I’ve never shied away from trying anything the country has to offer, placing great trust in its judgment of quality and its spirit of experimentation. But even I hesitated before trying the classic Risotto alla Milanese when I learned it included Saffron
Unusual, right? Yes, it is. Saffron is not native to Italy; it was first introduced by the Arabs. The Lombardy region, where Milan is located, produces rice, and so this combination of Arborio rice and saffron emerged at some point. While I would recommend giving it a try, for anyone like me who has a predisposition to Roman food (re: Caccio Peppe), this may not make it to the top Italian dishes you’ve tried
The Last Supper. Leonardo da Vinci painted The Last Supper on commission in Milan, specifically on one of the dining hall walls of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie. The painting has been preserved and restored here (about 20% of the original painting survives) for visitors to admire
What makes this masterpiece unique is that it is also a psychological study—depicting the moment when Jesus Christ announces to his 12 apostles that one of them will betray him. Each apostle reacts differently, frozen mid-gesture, creating a human, emotional narrative that you can see in the painting. Me, having religiously read Dan Brown’s works, was more focused on the figure next to Jesus and wondering if it is indeed Mary Magdalene?
Milan more Swiss than Sicilan? Headquarter of the Italian stock exchange and multiple banks, home to luxury fashion’s top houses and one of the four fashion capital’s of the world, Milan is Italy’s fashion and business engine. My friends from Milan would often say ‘Milan works, rest of Italy lives’
Unlike the more relaxed, community-centered lifestyle of southern Italy, where time is more fluid, meals stretch into the evening, and spontaneity reigns; Milan hits the ground running. The city wakes early with an espresso shot, the streets bustle with fast-moving people, the metro is quick and efficient, and everyone is sharply dressed in fitted suits and polished shoes
Does that still make Milan a vacation spot? or more a work-station hop? I would still argue for the former, retail therapy remember
Concluding reflection: Monte Via Napoleone, for anyone who loves creativity, art, fashion- this is the mecca.
