Ciao Milan & Italia

We’re back with the last installment of the #EuroBlogSeries, that is until next time one of us is fortunate enough to head abroad. Now that I’ve been back in Seattle and am finally caught up with #life, I’ve been reminiscing about my time in Milan and wanted to share my experience there with you. 

Going from Rome to Milan was UH-mazing and also a bit shocking. Milan is paved with more ‘(wo)man-made’ streets, and there is a more modern feel in the air. I remember as I looked around, scruffing down some pizza (#goals), I saw vibrant outfits, with an understated twist, giving life to the streets and lighting up my soul.

To be honest, I thought more people would be wearing yellow suits, have bolder hair, and be rocking crazy lipsticks. But learned fashion here isn’t always overstated, the people of Milan find stability in the classics and accentuate their look with statement pieces. People were most commonly wearing radical ripped jeans, a simple white shirt, and brought their outfit to that next level with a fabulous shoe or a different extravagant piece like a bold side body-bag.

To understand how Milan became one of the fashion capitals of the world we have to head back to Florence. It’s 1951, and you’re in a gorgeous aristocratic villa, Villa Torrigiani, owned by Giovan Battista Giorgini. You’re witnessing women dressed in elegant designs walking up and down his living room; this is the first fashion parade. This show eventually moved to the Sala Bianca at Palazzo Pitti and became a yearly event where designers debuted their latest creations.

Lucca's Historic Villas

In the late 1960’s during one of these fashion parades, Missoni sent its models down the runway with undergarments that apparently were too visible through their dresses. They were banned from the event the next year for being too risqué and instead set up their own show in Milan. It was such a success that other Italian designers wanted to be a part of the event the next year. It kept growing, and in 1975 an official fashion calendar was put into place. A few years later, 51 collections debuted over the course of a week, Missoni, Gucci, Fendi, and Valentino were all a part of this first fashion week. For more details on this transition check out the Glenti Blog.

That's a wrap up our #EuroBlogSeries, but I’ll be back for more blogging soon! I hope you enjoyed reading about my travels. If you want to learn more about my peers and me, come stop by Clementines or follow my personal blog on Instagram @ _saltyblog and my website at salty-blog.com.

Fino alla prossima volta,

Crystal

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