Studying in Italy Part I: Milan!

This January for my J-term class, I went to Italy for 2 weeks to study Trend Forecasting and Analysis. While we were there, we spent time in Milan, Florence, and Rome. We studied and analyzed current trends in designer storefronts in Europe as well as learning about Italian culture, went on tours of designer stores, and attended lectures at local fashion institutions. Everything we learned was preparing ourselves to work with our group to forecast spring 2025 trends for our given category at the end of the class. My group's was women's workwear. We had to look at colors, patterns, silhouettes, lifestyles, etc. We also learned tools to lead us to accurate trend predictions. Overall, the trip was one of the best experiences of my life where I learned so much, saw such beautiful paintings and architecture, and made so many memories with new friends. I'm going to deep dive into my trip in a three part series focusing on each of the cities we studied in, with pictures, journal excerpts, and plenty of commentary. So first up: Milan!

Before take off

Before we even left the country, there was prerequisite work to be done for the class to get us prepared. About a month before we left, everyone in the class met for a lecture from our professor as an intro to the class and also an informational meeting of everything we needed to know for going abroad. It was during this meeting where we were assigned our groups for the class and fashion category, as well as assigned our Italian designer we each had to present on.

A month later, it was a few days before we would be at the airport. We had three class periods where we had a lecture, presented our Italian designer, and presented our first group project which was looking at what was on the market for our fashion category at different price points. The designer I was assigned was Bottega Veneta. I had to deep drive into the label's history and learn about what makes their brand image and then write up a paper and present a powerpoint to my class. For my group price point project, we looked at Target for the lower price, Macy's as our mid price, and Eileen Fisher for our high end. We looked at the same piece at each store (black slacks, black blazer, white blouse) and saw how each price point varied in quality of fabric, production, and variety. This presentation was presented over Zoom however, due to a massive snowstorm.

Flying

Me anxious about flying overseas, but still so excited.

Finally the day came to head to the airport. We all met together to go through security and to the gate. We had 2 advisors with us and about 15 students. Our first flight was around 8 hours to Amsterdam, and then a bit of a layover before the final hour flight into Milan. I am not somebody who likes flying, in fact it makes me very nervous, especially because I had never been out of the country or flew without my parents. However, Carol, my professor, and my other classmates are people I'm comfortable with so that made it so much better. I spent my flight watching 10 Things I Hate About You and Grey's Anatomy, plus trying to nap because I knew the jet lag would hit me like a truck considering we left Minnesota at noon on Friday and would be arriving in Milan around 1pm on Saturday.

On our little layover I walked around the airport to stretch my legs and got a little snack. I also changed out of my comfier clothes and into a more put together outfit for the last flight because as soon as we landed we'd be dropping off our luggage at the hotel and heading out into town. The second flight I did manage to sleep for the whole thing. When we landed, we got our luggage and met with Daniella, who would be our guide for the trip. She loaded us up onto our bus and we went to the hotel. I just remember staring out the window processing everything I was seeing around me. We dropped off our things and started walking through the city. I was in awe at all of the buildings I was seeing and how well dressed everyone was.

One of the first buildings I saw on our initial walk through Milan.

We immediately went and found a cafe for lunch because we all were starved. I had a sandwich and a coke zero (they don't have diet coke in Italy) and got to know some of my classmates better. The majority of them I had met before in class and through fashion association meetings, but I wasn't super close with anyone yet. After lunch we went back to the hotel and everyone had their own room for the first night. I took a little nap and then got refreshed for our group dinner.

My view from my hotel room. STUNNING, I know. It is what made me realize I really was in Italy.

We all met up again and took a bus to the restaurant we had a reservation at. We had good food, a full course meal, and all toasted to the trip with our wine. Most surprising thing that came out of being in Italy is that I actually became a white wine enjoyer.

After dinner we went back to the hotel and I took a shower and went to bed ready to start learning and exploring in the morning.

Quadrilatero d'Oro and Palazzo Moraudo

"I started my day with the breakfast of champions... aka an apple, rice cereal, and hot chocolate. Yummy. After, we met Daniella and received radios we'll be using on our tours throughout our time here. They are 350 euro if we lose them so I'm watching this baby like a hawk."

And that is how my journal opened on this day. We took the metro to Quadrilatero d'Oro. It was not the best weather day. Very rainy all day, but luckily not too cold. The weather over the 2 weeks was in the 40s, so much warmer than January in Minnesota.

Me vibing in the rainy courtyard.

We went to the Palazzo Moraudo where there was a stunning courtyard, stunning interiors, and a beautiful fashion exhibit.

We next had a group lunch before our tour guide Elena led us around Quadrilatero d'Oro, which is an outdoor mall of sorts with all designer labels. It was exciting for each of us to see the designer we did our projects on. It was also the first day of researching for our final forecast.

After the tour I went to dinner with my friends Sydney and Izzy. Most of the dinners were on our own except for one group dinner in each city. We went to an English pub (so Italian, I know) and got food and drinks. We then walked around town a bit before heading back to the hotel and hanging out sharing a bottle of pino.

Duomo and Galleria

This morning we took the metro to the Duomo. As soon as I came up the stairs from the station and saw the Duomo I was in awe. I have never seen architecture that beautiful in my entire life. It was breathtaking. and the inside was just as stunning.

After Elena gave us the tour of the inside, we walked over to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. It was another designer shopping mall, but this time in the most stunning half indoor half outdoor building. The area of Milan we were in had shopping for all different price areas, but the Galleria was designer. Elena told us the history and then set us free to explore a bit. I saw Dior's beautiful window display, I may be slightly biased because Dior is my favorite, but I will say that I always love their shoots and campaigns.

The outside of the Galleria!

Dior's beautiful window display.

We then all met back up and Elena gave us a tour of the rest of the area. She then gave us a farewell and we were free for lunch. Eating and getting caffeine in my system definitely gave me the energy I needed for the rest of the day.

Colorful buildings in the area.

After, Daniella took us to Luisa Beccaria, a luxury boutique specializing in wedding dresses. The entire store was so feminine and felt like a fairytale. One of the sales associates gave us the history of the boutique, what they do with consultations, and her story of moving to Milan as an American. There were a couple wedding dresses there that would be my dream dress. Then Daniella gave us our metro passes and set us free. Izzy, Sydney, and I walked around and got the gelato we had been craving all day and then absolutely killed the metro ride back to the hotel.

We planned for dinner but we all fell asleep. In fact, every single one of us fell asleep. Eventually we woke up and the three of us and Kiara went out for pizza. We then ended up at a little cocktail bar and shared a drink and talked allllll about fashion, so on theme. Then it was definitely time for bed after a long and eventful day.

Isituto Marangoni

This was a more relaxed and easy going day. The morning was spent in the common room of our hotel where Daniella talked to us about her own brand and got sidetracked into telling us about dressing for our features. Then, Carol talked to us more about our final project and we learned about the grid model that would help us pinpoint where trends are and where they are going. In the afternoon we headed over to Isituto Marangoni. We had a lecture on trend forecasting and it was really interesting to hear it from a different perspective. We then got a tour of the school. I think it would have been so cool to sit in on a class. Afterwards, Daniella took us to a newer part of the city called Corso Como. From here we were set free to do whatever we desired.

Corso Como, a modern area in Milan.

"Izzy, Sydney, Montana, and I decided to look around the store before heading next door to get a sip sip. I really liked the store, especially the SHOES!! They were so pretty. Daniella and I bonded over Louboutins."

We then had a drink and went to some other shops. We stopped for dinner and I had delicious truffle pasta. The four of us shared a bottle of wine. The best thing about getting food in Italy was it always started with bread, complete with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, so so good.

"We headed to the metro and were acting 'F &F' ("feral and fun" -Montana)."

We then took Montana to the English pub so she could indulge in the masterpiece that was their hard cider. On the walk back to the hotel we ran into a guy who called me a "peaceful masculine." I have no idea what that means. Then we hung out for a bit before heading to bed.

Armani Silos

This was our last day in Milan before driving to Florence the next morning. We took the metro to the Armani Silos. It was a museum of Giorgio Armani's work. Our tour guide brought us through the museum giving us the history of the pieces and the collections. My favorite was a black dress with a velvet chest and an exposed mid-drift with layers of beading all over it. It was absolutely STUNNING! If I was a celebrity, I would definitely wear that down the red carpet. Afterwards, we got lunch in the Silos cafe and made plans for the afternoon because it was our free time in Milan.

The. Dress. Breathtaking.

Sydney, Izzy, Montana, Emily, and I decided to take the metro (like a pro might I add) back to the Duomo to do some shopping, obviously on the lower price point part of the area. I got some cool sunglasses and everyone else was quite successful too. By the end, our feet were KILLING us so we decided to go back to the hotel and reset before dinner.

Us absolutely exhausted and resting our feet.

We decided for our last night in Milan we'd get a little dressed us so I wore my favorite black velvet dress. We got dinner and then hung out back at the hotel and played the We're Not Really Strangers quizlet before going back to our rooms to pack up for Florence.

I loved Milan so much. It is a city I could definitely see myself living in some day. It was a great start to our journey and I was beyond excited to head to Florence.

In 2 weeks, I'll tell you guys all about Florence, but for now, ciao!!