Its hard to believe that it is my last week in Italy. The past month has flown by faster than I could have ever imagined. It is hard to think that in 3 short days I will be back on a plane with a nine hour flight ahead of me, and not heading to a foreign land, but home. I know that I am leaving this wonderful country with more knowledge about the industry and culture that I ever thought possible.
the girls and I enjoying a refreshing drink outside of Missoni
our view of the Missoni runway
This past week was Milan Men’s Fashion Week. By no means was our last week here time to sit back, and relax. We were running to shows and seeing a totally different side of high end fashion that I have always wanted to experience. It started off on Sunday with all of us as a group going to the Missoni fashion show. The theme was very tribal, with African music while the men walked down the bamboo runway. The highlight of this show was afterwards when I got to meet my favorite blogger, Chiara Ferragni, also know as The Blonde Salad. Amber and I were nearly starstruck when we saw her and immediately ran up to ask for a picture with her. Chiara willingly said yes! Afterwards we all jumped in taxis and drove cross down to the DAKS fashion show. This show had more of a dark medieval theme. It started with four men playing the violin to the opening outfit. The collection was in neutral tones, with classical music, or opera playing as the men walked the brightly lit rectangular outline runway. The third show Fulvio was able to get us into as a group was Jinwenbo. This Chinese designer has many Asian influences. As the male models walked down the runway I really noticed their interesting black cut out rubber platform shoes, and how they contrasted the bright white runway. I realized how hard it was for Fulvio to get all twenty-two of us into these shows at once. They normally do not let anyone other than buyers, journalists, socialites, bloggers, or photographers in. This was a great experience for all of us to go in at once, and see these shows first hand.
at the DAKS fashion show
Each day this week there were shows that only a few girls could go to at a time. On Tuesday it was time for Alyssa, Mackenzie, Kelsey, and myself to go. We had to follow Fulvio around all day starting at 10:30am with the John Richmond show. Immediately as we enter Fulvio says, “Alexa, backstage now!” My heart fell into my stomach because at first all I thought was, do I look okay, how is my hair, will the male models think I am some creepy stalker? Those questions were the least of my problems when Fulvio asks if i wanted to interview someone. Now I am not the best with public speaking, and little did I know but Fulvio walks right up to John Richmond himself, and that is who I got to interview. I needed to remember to breathe, and it actually went well. He told me that the collection had a tribal theme with pops of color. The I asked if he likes to follow trends, and John Richmond said absolutely not. He likes to design his collections off what he likes at the moment. John Richmond’s advice for someone who wants to be in the fashion industry was to be ready for no sleep, and be yourself. This was a dream come true, not only to go backstage, but to interview the designer of the show. Once I got back to my seat I had a huge smile on my face, and was able to enjoy that show so much more than I would have before hand.
at the John Richmond fashion show
backstage at John Richmond
Then it was time for Gucci. What an amazing show! Just kidding, I was able to stand outside Gucci with Alyssa and Kelsey as Mackenzie was inside with Fulvio. While standing outside it was a great way to see the street style of Milan. The entire street in front of the Sheraton Diana Majestic was full of photographers taking pictures of the crazy, unique styles that walked by. After Gucci we went to the Ports fashion show. It was a mixture of a presentation and a fashion show. We were escorted into the upstairs of a beautiful building where the crowd stood on one side of a mirrored runway. The clothing of this collection were monochromatic, and classic. Afterwards we went across town to the Todd’s presentation. The men’s clothes, accessories, shoes, and brief cases were neatly displayed in an old villa of a noble family. Finally our last visit of the day was in the MonteNapoleone district. We went to the presentation for JulianKeen by Alessandro D’Amico, and Alessandro Dell’Aqua. We got to talk to the woman who works PR for both designers, she also is PR for Leghila, the bags we all got to carry around this month. These shows were some of the best experiences I will take away with me from this trip.
at the Ports fashion show
My favorite industry visit of the week had to be Vogue Italia. Starting off this trip I had always wanted to be a buyer for either a high end department store, or a boutique. We had always been told to keep our options open during this trip because our expectations may change by the end of the month. My mind has most definitely been confused. After visiting Vogue Italia, I realized that I think I would like to work in a magazine more. We were able to take an hour and a half tour, where we went to each department, and had them talk to us and explain what they contributed to the magazine. I have been reading Haper’s Bazaar, and Vogue since before I can remember. Being apart of a team that creates some of the greatest fashion literary pieces would be a dream job. This tour showed me there is a lot more to just writing articles, taking pictures, and slapping the whole thing together. There are a lot more behind the scene aspects that add to the final issue.
our industry visit to Vogue Italia
My favorite place in all of Milan is the Duomo. On Wednesday afternoon we were able to climb to the top of the Santa Maria Nascente Cathedral. The weather was beautiful and sunny. The only semi-bad part was the walk to the top. Although it did take a lot shorter than expected. Beig out of breath by the time we got to the top immediately went away once we saw the view. The sky was so clear you could see all the way to the Swiss Alps. The views were magnificent, and architecture from the top is just as beautiful as if you were standing on the ground. Italy is a breathtaking country.
made it to the top!
Yesterday was the day I was dreading. It was the day the girls and I had to return our Leghila bags. Over the past 30 days my bag, the Woven Wetsuit, and I became very close. I loved the versatility of this bag. It was easy to go from a casual outfit, to something more business, or even a going out outfit. For the past month the girls and I were in competition with each other to win one of the bags. All we had to do was take pictures with the bags in a fashionable setting, and then post it on Instagram with the hashstag (#) Leghila. Yesterday was the day they also announced the winner. Drum roll please........I won! The winner was not based off how many “likes” you got on Instagram but who showed the picture in a positive fashionable way. I was actually surprised when they announced I was the winner. This meant I got to keep my Woven Wetsuit. This is better than any souvenir I could have bought for myself! Thank you very much Leghila for this opportunity.
my winning bag and I. thank you Leghila
It is crazy to me to think that this amazing once in a lifetime experience is almost over. I have always hated goodbyes, but with Italy and I, it is not a goodbye, it is a see you later. This country has given me so much knowledge that I know this will not be the last time I am here. I have surprised myself so much, to think as a little college freshman coming on this program was my dream, and to sit here and be writing my final blog of this adventure amazes me. The memories I have gained in the past month will stay with me a lifetime. See you soon Italy! Ciao!
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” ― Augustine of Hippo.
