Armani, Prada, Marni—these are just some of the many fashion houses that call Milan home. During this three-hour Milan couture fashion tour led by an insider, we'll explore the places to visit in Milan for the fashion-forward, including the  Quadrilatero D’Oro—‘Golden Quad’—and smaller shops known for Milanese trends. We’ll talk about Milan’s rise to fame in the fashion world, and the top brands behind this modish narrative and we’ll visit several different glamorous designer stores as we stroke luscious silks and steal glances at sartorially inclined Milanese. We’ll discover why all the top designers have established their headquarters here and what this means for world fashion.

Since the beginning of the twentieth century, Milan has symbolized the concept of 'made in Italy" and evolved into a mecca for fashion lovers, trendsetters, and fashion businesses. We’ll begin our Milan couture fashion tour near the Emporio Armani, kicking things off by talking about this important figure in Milanese (and global) fashion history. As we wind our way through the heart of Milan's fashion district with a local insider, we'll look at the history of fashion in Italy, and how it evolved from something for the elite during the Italian monarchy to the democratization of boutiques and department stores today. According to the interests of the group, our focus can shift to particular designers, and trends and includes both men's and women’s fashion.

In the company of our local expert, we’ll continue our Milan couture fashion tour through Milan’s renowned fashion hubs of Montenapoleone, Via Sant’Andrea, and Via della Spiga, a compact area in the heart of the city where all the big names of Italian fashion reside. Our guide will share anecdotes and stories with us to give context to Milan's rise to fashion prominence. We’ll talk about the 1950s to today using shops such as Versace, Valentino, and Loro Piana to demonstrate how fashion has evolved. We may have a chance to talk to store designers as they describe the new collections and the various intricacies of running top brand stores in Milan.

As we leave the ‘Golden Rectangle’ behind us, we may head in a number of different directions. We might walk to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II as we admire its numerous stores, including the original Prada store dating from 1913. This particular shop, in the heart of the prestigious glass-covered walkway, became a favorite destination for the aristocracy and the more elegant members of Europe’s upper classes. Using this as a thread, we may well talk about the diversification of fashion and the rise of the ‘ready to wear,' attainable fashion that we see in Milan today. We’ll learn about the transition of this company as the women in the Prada family started to have a role in the business and moved away from trunks and handbags to focus on other luxury items.

Milan has more than designer brands on show. Our group may move away from the main fashion district to another neighborhood, such as the charming district of Brera. Brera is occupied by smaller independent designers and lesser-known Milanese brands. It houses a combination of artisanal goodness - home to leather and smaller shops, as well as vintage and retro. We might spend the latter portion of the tour strolling in this neighborhood–which still retains some of its bohemian spirit and has developed into a center for fashion.

This walk is appropriate for fashionistas and neophytes alike. It provides an excellent overview of Milan's status as fashion capital of the world, and allows us to dig deeper into the ins and out of styles and trends today.

Where do we meet? Where does it end? The walk takes place within the fashion district (Via Monte Napoleone) and may stay within a relatively concentrated area or end in Brera. Your confirmation email will have the exact meeting point details.

What if it’s raining? Tours operate rain or shine, but in the case of inclement weather, your expert will modify the tour so more time is spent indoors. It never hurts to have an umbrella on hand.

Is this tour walking intensive, and/or wheelchair accessible? Please let us know your requirements and we may well be able to adjust the tour for reduced mobility.

Is this tour appropriate for children? This walk is not a part of our official family program. That said, we may be able to arrange a visit with a family-friendly expert. Please contact us.