The golden triangle of fashion and the Brera district are the two poles of Milanese luxury and creativity. A guide to finding your way among luxury boutiques, art galleries and niche markets.
Brera and the Fashion Quadrilateral: creative Milan
Milan is the world capital of fashion, and two districts embody its soul in different but complementary ways.
The Fashion Quadrilateral
Bounded by Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga, Corso Venezia and Corso Matteotti, the "Quad" is the most exclusive luxury district in Italy. Gucci, Prada, Versace, Armani, Chanel, Cartier: the most beautiful flagship stores in the world are concentrated in a few hundred metres.
Even for those with no budget to spend, strolling along Via Montenapoleone is an experience: the shop windows are works of art, the scents mingle in the air and the architecture of the noble palaces that house the shops is extraordinary.
Secret: During the Salone del Mobile (April) and Fashion Week (February and September) the fashion houses organise events open to the public, special shows and art installations in the courtyards of the palaces.
Brera: the bohemian soul
A few minutes from the Quadrilateral, the Brera district has a completely different soul: contemporary art galleries, antiquarian bookshops, design bars and niche shops alternate in a labyrinth of cobbled lanes.
The Pinacoteca di Brera - one of the largest art museums in Italy - is the cultural heart of the district. Nearby, dozens of art galleries showcase works by emerging and established artists.
Not to miss: The Brera Market, on the third Saturday of the month, with stalls of vintage, antiques and handicrafts.