Milan Moments
Home to Artemide, Milan is at its most alluring during the summer, inviting you to discover the hidden gems and timeless classics of Italy’s vibrant economic capital.
A quick visit to see the Duomo, La Scala or Leonardo’s Last Supper barely scratches the surface of what the city has to offer. So why stop there? Our journey begins where glamour itself is an art form: the 470-metre-long Via Monte Napoleone, regarded by some as Europe’s most expensive shopping street. This is the heart of fashion. The first thing to catch our eye is the footwear of those passing by, along with this season’s fabrics, cuts and colours. What are people wearing? And how are they wearing it? It is little wonder that visitors are captivated by the window displays in Milan’s flagship stores, each one a miniature stage set.
Vibrant Design Worlds
Few places illustrate the creative dialogue between fashion and design better than Plan C Framework, the concept store of the eponymous fashion label at Via Manzoni 21, where a vivid red spiral staircase leads to an exhibition space dedicated to art and design.
Another must-see is the Triennale Milano in Parco Sempione, where curated exhibitions offer fresh perspectives on design alongside the Collezione permanente del design italiano. The current exhibition is Andrea Branzi by Toyo Ito: Continuous Present.
Fabled Artisans
Milan is about far more than just big brands. The city is also home to the old-fashioned shops and businesses that have vanished elsewhere. Leather, rope, buttons, twine or thread, all crafted by specialists whose knowledge has been passed down over centuries. To this day, Milan is home to a whole host of artisans who keep traditional knowledge and craftsmanship alive. Saddlers, rope makers and specialist passementiers are among the countless unseen hands behind the world’s great labels and international stars.
Founded in 1775, Libreria Bocca has always moved with the times. Today, its treasures can be found in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a destination for bibliophiles searching for rare books on art and architecture. You’ll even find a playful nod to their love of the written word on the website: “Una stanza senza libri è come un corpo senz’anima.” (A room without books is like a body without a soul.)
Culinary Classics
The summer is also the perfect time to try Risotto alla Milanese. Also known as Lombardy’s gold and with one of the earliest recipes dating back to 1574, this cultural institution derives its rich flavour from saffron, while bone marrow gives it its distinctive texture. The secret ingredient? Patience. Little by little, wine and stock are added to the rice and allowed to gently simmer as the flavours intensify. Milan itself is best savoured in the same way: take your time and discover a cultural capital where fashion, art and design all come together in a small area.
When it’s time to recharge, Café Cracco in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is the place to be. This classic Milanese café offers coffee and snacks on the ground floor, while the first floor is home to the Michelin-Star restaurant, where we highly recommend booking well in advance.
At the end of the day, make your way to Bar Brasso (Via Plinio 39), whose cult status extends well beyond the furniture fair. The Negroni Sbagliato was invented here and is still served to this day in large glasses. There are certainly worse places to end the day. And who knows, perhaps you’ll spot a Tolomeo Micro Table in your hotel room or a friend’s guest room – a subtle reminder of why Milan, the home of Artemide, remains Italy’s undisputed design capital.
