Shopping in Milan: Other Stores of Interest

Now that we’ve covered all the “name” boutiques, it’s time to mention some special places with unique and original merchandise. Some shops have been around for decades, catering to their loyal and demanding customers, the outside sign may have been there since the turn of the century and the decor inside has changed very little since then. Here are some examples, listed in alphabetical order:

ALESSI

Corso Matteotti 9, has wonderful windows, some of the best in Milan, featuring the house and kitchenware production of this company, all by famous designers, including Philippe Stark. You’ll find the famous cone-shaped chromed teapot with the plastic whistling bird in the spout here.

ANGELA PINTALDI

Piazza S. Erasmo 9, arrived from Sicily with her imaginative jewels using semi-precious stones that go with everything from jeans to the most formal ball gown. Holding court in her brand-new temple-like showroom, she will design somethng around a precious antique piece or invent something new. There’s a lot of coral and turquoise but she will use any stones you desire. Lots of fantasy at reasonable to luxe prices. A necklace or pair of earrings are for the woman who wants to make a statement, but in the most feminine way. Donatella Girombelli, the woman behind Genny and Byblos, loves to give her jewels for special presents. Pintaldi also has her own corner in New York at Bergdorf Goodman.

ARTEST

(Corner of Corso Garibaldi). This small shop near the trendy Brera district is run by Maria Giovanna Pinto who gathers exotic objects during her travels. She specializes in new and antique jewelry including American costume jewelry of the thirties and forties, but there are also things from Colombia, Poland, Somalia, India, Guatamala and Morocco.

BORSALINO

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele (inside the gallery, no number)is the Italian hat-maker par excellence where you’ll find everything from the classic fedora to the Panama hat (which actually comes from Ecuador).

BOTTEGA DEL PIZZO

Via dell’Orso 7, has a sign that translates to “The Lace Shop.” Unfortunately you won’t find lace there any more, just every kind of porcelain object, only in white, including plates, bowls, platters, mugs, vases, and kitchen items.

BRIGATTI

Corso Venezia 15, is where for generations those who ride horseback, ski, scuba-dive, play tennis, hunt, and fish go to get fitted out. Even a classic riding jacket is cut with Italian flair, and would be great for city wear. They have the largest collection of Tyrolean clothes including loden coats and lederhosen in Milan. There’s a smaller shop in the Galleria by the Duomo.

BRODO DI GIUGGIOLE

Alzata Naviglio Pavese, is a humble shop that features artisan-made objects in cork, ceramics, glass, earthenware, wood, cane, and basket-weave in a large variety, but worth checking out.

CARACENI

Via Fatebenefratelli 16, (02) 655 1972, one of the classic Italian tailors for men, very conservative, only the most exclusive fabrics.

CIELO

Piazza del Duomo 2, carries the La Nouvelle Bague line of jewelry, created by Florentine Leopoldo Poli who likes to combine art and poetry in his colorful, wearable jewels. Priced from $2,000 to $8,000, the earrings, bangle bracelets, rings, and neckaces use precious and semi-precious stones, gold, and brightly-colored enamel for the newest collection, “Letter to a Woman.”

ELENA MIRO’

Via “Dante 4, specializes in large sizes for women with attention to style and fit.

FIERA DI SENEGALLIA

along the Canal Darsena around the corner from Porta Ticinese, every Saturday this street flea market is very popular with the Milanese and is full of new and used valuables and junk.

FOCHI MODELS

Via Durini 5, for the joy of children and adults offers an incredible variety of model airplanes, ships, military vehicles, automobiles and racing cars, also in kits, as well as radio-controlled planes. Ferrari hasn’t won the world championship in years but children of all ages will love a model of a street or racing Ferrari.

GALTRUCCO

Piazza Duomo 2 (Portici Meridionali), a classic store for the most beautiful and luxurious fabrics, many of them from the nearby silk and wool mills of Como and Biella. Buy the original fabric used in fashions by the top designers such as Armani and Valentino and make a copy if you’re handy with a sewing machine.

FEDE CHETI

Via Manzoni 23, the traditional place where Milanese buy their bed and bath linens.

GRAZZINI

Via Mauro Macchi 29, (near the main train station) is a paradise for children of all ages, a more elegant Milanese version of Toys-R-Us, with competitive prices and a selection for newborns to adults that ranges from mini-billiard tables, dolls, toys, the latest electronic toys, and computers. “The Milanese spoil their children terribly,” says Giula Masla, International Press Relations for Gucci, “And today all the children want computers.”

HIGH TECH SHOP

Piazza XXV Aprile 12 (near Corso Como) has all the latest in high-tech design objects for the home including lamps, plastic chairs, as well as hand-made objects from India. “I love to go there for the experience, there’s always something new to find,” says Andrea Brigatti.

CORSO COMO 10

Corso Como 10, is a large bazaar with a selection of clothes and home objects from all over the world, eclectic and unusual, many collected by the owner, Carla Sozzani, including slippers from Morocco and rugs from India. Have a drink and/or snack in the bar, and check out the art gallery upstairs with a constantly-changing exhibit.

IL SORBETTO

Vicolo Santa Caterina 1, not far from the University, you’ll find antique lace in this tiny shop.

LIBERTY

Corso Concordia 10, is a “profumeria” or cosmetic shop that opened in 1924 and reeks as atmosphere. Admire the collection of old boxes of face powder, and try out the classic perfume “Frangipani.”

MERCEDES BENZ SPOT

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, run by the one and only Mercedes Benz, where you’ll find luggage, leather accessories, games, model automobiles, men and women’s clothes, watches, fountain pens, and bicycles.

MORONI GOMMA

Corso Matteotti 14 origianally carried a selection of items in plastic and rubber like rainboots and garden hoses, but over the years became chic with products you won’t find anywhere else including the line of sneakers.

PAPIER

Via San Maurilio 4, for those who love beautiful writing paper but are tired of the Florentine or marbled paper offered in so many Italian stationers, Papier features everything from natural, undyed, recycled, nonpolutting writing paper to paper using coconut, rice, banana bark, corn, cotton, and silk. There are also desk accessories including African bowls and handmade albums from Thailand.

SHOESHINE

This species is almost extinct but since there’s nothing like a properly shined shoe check out the “Palestro” subway stop on the Red Line. Don Carlo is in charge of the rest rooms and offers all kinds of services including checking bags and shining shoes while you wait or for picking up later.

SUPERGA

Corso Vercelli 8, has made the classic Superga canvas sneaker since the 1930s now in 56 colors, and has added four lines of sports clothes for men and women: Country (jackets, shirts, sweaters, pants, and skirts), Club (what you’d wear to the country club), High Tech, specializing in rubberized raincoats and garments, and Athletic for the traditional work-out togs.

KOIVU`

Via Cerva 13 and 25, has articles in glass, ceramics, and all kinds of objects for the home, many of which you won’t find anywhere else.

MERU`

Via Solferino 3, is said to be the smallest shop in the Brera, or artistic district. Everything here was created or collected by the Meru` brothers, one of whom, Giovanni, creates very special assemblages. You’ll find old pocket watches, charms, jewelry of their own making hung all over a wall, at most reasonable prices. Worth checking out for something unique.

PULL POURRI

Via Annunciata, features sweaters with original embroidery and decorations, each one unique and at reasonable prices.