The Milanese Quadrilateral: a paradise of luxury and fashion

If Paris is often considered the benchmark for fashion, the city of Lombardy has nothing to envy it. Italy's top fashion houses have made the city their home. Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci and Versace... the city has no shortage of brands, attracting celebrities and ordinary pilgrims alike to admire the superb window displays in these cabinets of curiosities.

The Quadrilatero d'Oro, or Golden Square, lies to the north of Piazza del Duomo, not far from the famous La Scala theatre. Surrounded by 4 main thoroughfares (Corso Venezia, Via Manzoni, Via della Spiga and, most famously, Via Montenapoleone), the area represents Milan's wealth and is one of the most expensive streets in the world: a privileged bubble within the bustling, dynamic Lombard capital.

And even if your budget doesn't always allow you to shop here, strolling these streets is one of the city's must-do activities. Since window shopping is free, it would be a shame to miss out!

A cultural outing at the Manzoni Theatre!

The theatre boasts a splendid auditorium with red velvet seats that you'll love to curl up in. The programme includes a number of productions for young and old alike. Ideal for an evening out!

📍 Address: Via Alessandro Manzoni, Milan

🚌 How to get there: metro (line 3) / tram (line 3) "Montenapoleone" stop

👛 Price: €17

The very first edition of Fashion Week took place in 1958, after the creation of the Italian National Chamber of Fashion. Since then, the event has grown to become one of the world' s leading fashion events, joining the likes of London, New York and its transalpine neighbour, Paris.

Twice a year, Ready-to-Wear Fashion Week arrives in Milan. It usually precedes its Parisian counterpart, after passing through New York and London. The calendar changes every year, but the festivities usually take place in February and September, when each designer unveils the latest clothing trends to the public during Style Week.

For a few days, the city is alive with fashion shows, attracting celebrities, journalists and influencers from all over the world.

Events, exhibitions and fashion presentations are planned throughout the festivities. And as fashion renews itself summer and winter, each edition is an eternal restart. Milan Fashion Week has one particularity that the others don't: it puts the spotlight mainly on Italian creators and designers.

The big names in the industry include Gucci, Prada, Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi and Versace. But the most eccentric show is the one organised by the haute couture house Moschino.

Palazzo Morando, the most stylish museum!

This historic building, nestled in the heart of the fashion district, boasts a stunning collection of fashion pieces. A dive into the history of the capital of style through its haute couture creations.

📍 Address: Via Sant'Andrea, 6, Milan

🚌 To get there: bus (lines 61 and 94) stop "C.so Venezia Via Senato".

👛 Admission: free

Head for Cova Montenapoleone to sample one of their delicious pastries. From the window, you can see the magnificent cakes, each more beautiful than the last, making it almost difficult to choose. Inside, other sweet treats and generous pastries are on display. We accompany our snack with a gourmet drink with whipped cream on top... After all, it's the holidays!

A local culinary institution, the Brice Milano restaurant has been located in the fashion district since 1926. It serves traditional dishes in a typical, sophisticated atmosphere, just like the area itself. Italian elegance right down to the plate!