Shopping in Milan: Via della Spiga

PRADA: #1 is the shop where all the accessories, purses, and shoes including the most-wanted black nylon backpack (widely copied) can be found. Miuccia Prada has managed to make the ugliest styles from 1950s chic. Beats me, but you can’t argue with success. Women’s clothes are at Via Sant’Andrea 21, man’s at Via Montenapoleone #7.
AGNONA: #3, not only produces some of the most luxurious fabrics in the world, but also turns them into the most desidred objects. Famous for their shawls, scarves, and blankets in snow-white cashere, Agnona’s newest contribution is a blend of featherweight cashmere and silk made in scarves, shawls, and blankets in sold colors and prints.
GIO’ MORETTI: #4, (also Moretti Uomo next door) has always been one of the most avant-garde boutiques in Milan, bringing French designers in the seventies, and American designers like Calvin Klein and Donna Karan in the nineties. She’s a Milan fixture, known for her style, and has just completely redone her boutique.
GENNY: #4 is known for classic, minimalist clothes for the office, and sexy feminine clothes for the evening.
BULGARI: #6, has a forbidding and fortress-like facade, defending the treasure-trove to be found inside. Still popular are the “Naturalia” designs in honor of the World Wildlife Foundation including the stylized fish earrings, along with the classic “Tronchetto” rings, the “tubogas” bracelets, necklaces and watches, and the latest line, “Chandra,” in gold, precious stones, and ceramics.
MALO: #7, just the softest and yummiest cashmere you can find anywhere, as well as accessories, bags, and shoes. For men and women.
TOD’S: #7, you’ll find Fay coats and jackts here. For men and women.
GAI MATTIOLO: #11 for women, his specialty is what they used to call dressmaker suits, often with jewel button trim, as well as knitwear and jeans.
HERMES: #4 Not everybody has a chance to go to Paris to drool over some of the most classic and luxurious leathers and clothes in the business.
SERGIO ROSSI: # 15, is where you’ll find the most exciting and fashionable shoes. Another line of shoes by Sergio Rossi, Le Tini, has its own store in Via Montenapoleone 27.
GIORGIO ARMANI: # 19, accessories, leather goods for men and women.
TIFFANY: # 19A the legendary jewelry store from New York was represented in Milan by Faraone, but now it is present in all its glory. If you can’t make it to New York, you can enjoy Tiffany in Milan! And for a bella figura you can spend as little as $ 100 and walk out with a goodie in a turquoise box carried in their trademark shopping bag.
DIEGO DELLA VALLE: # 22, is known mostly for the Tod’s brand comfy car shoes with little plastic spheres on the soles made in styles ranging from cool summer shoes that feel like slippers to lace-up rugged suede boots. The white canvas summer lace-up shoe, Hogan, has been seen on such VIP feet as Sharon Stone’s and Tom Cruise’s. There’s also a nice selection of classic men’s and women’s shoes and della Valle specializes in embroidered evening shoes.
KRIZIA: #23, offers a wide variety of clothes for both men and women. She has unlimited fantasy, and you’re sure to find something you like.
BORBONESE: # 25, specialist in accessories full of fantasy, as well as clothes and their much-admired perfume.
DOLCE & GABBANA: # 26, for men and women, they carved out their own niche with their often-Sicilian-inspired clothes, and made it OK to show your bra strap under your wide neckline.
CERRUTI 1881: # 29, jNino Cerruti opened a store to make his grand re-entry to Milan. Hollywood loves him as he has designed clothes for some important movie4s.
SPORTMAX: # 30, Another line from Max Mara, known for young and elegant designs tending towards the classic but with fun touches.
ROMEO GIGLI: #30, for men and women, especially those who love a rather baroque style with the most luxurious fabrics.
MOSCHINO: #30, for the man who has the courage to wear something fun and original, Moshino’s witty spirit lives on here.
MASSIMO PIOMBO: #34, the young designer from Genoa has combined in this large space a retail store, showroom, and offices where he can personally oversee the sales of his beautifully tailored clothes for men and women.
BYBLOS: #42, Men and Women, is another line that comes from the factory that makes Genny, designed for a younger, more casual customer.
ROBERTO CAVALLI: # 42, has just opened this lavish two-store boutique. Aspiring to be a new Versace, Cavalli has filled it with lavish clothes and accessories in fabric and leather, some of them over the top. But then, there are those who aspire to this.
BLUMARINE: #42 The late Franco Moschino put them the map in the eighties with a cuddly, romantic style. Anna Molinari tries too hard to be intellectual, resulting in a pale imitation of Prada, but lately she seems to have returned to romance.
L’UTILE E IL DILETTEVOLE: # 46, inside the courtyard, carries goodies you will find no where else. Furniture, decorative objects, picture frames, once I bought little round glass candleholders to use as place marks. Nice little presents to take home.
CAR SHOE: # 50, is where you’ll find the most exciting and fashionable shoes. Another line of shoes by Sergio Rossi, Le Tini, has its own store in Via Montenapoleone 27.
FORNASETTI: Via Manzoni 45, (across the street from Via della Spiga in the courtyard). You’ve seen them but don’t know where they came from, those umbrellas, plates, lampshades etc with a turn-of-the century black-and-white print, often of a Gibson Girl-like woman’s face. Piero Fornasetti loved to decorate objects like screens, wastebaskets, lamps, and neckties and they have become cult objects. Son Barnaba runs the shop, and at least one object from Fornasetti is a must.