Milan is one of the great fashion capitals of the world, this is a well-established fact. For many, Italy and Milan are both synonymous with style and glamour and, as such, a visit to either is bound to involve some bout of shopping.
If you have found a luxury villa in Lombardy and are planning a trip to Milan, there is one destination, in particular, that you need to keep in mind: the Quadrilatero d’Oro district. It has long been considered one of the world’s most important centres of fashion and is home to Milan’s most exclusive stores.
The Quadrilatero d’Oro (or ‘The Golden Rectangle’) is the name given to a tangle of streets located just north of the Duomo. It is often classed as one of the chicest and most expensive streets in the world.
If you have found a luxury villa in Lombardy and are planning a trip to Milan, there is one destination, in particular, that you need to keep in mind: the Quadrilatero d’Oro district. It has long been considered one of the world’s most important centres of fashion and is home to Milan’s most exclusive stores.
The Quadrilatero d’Oro (or ‘The Golden Rectangle’) is the name given to a tangle of streets located just north of the Duomo. It is often classed as one of the chicest and most expensive streets in the world.
Surrounded by the four main thoroughfares of via Monte Napoleone, via Manzoni, via della Spiga and corso Venezia, and so creating a sort of rectangle, it is packed with all the instantly recognisable high-end names including Armani, Salvatore Ferragamo, Prada, Versace and Valentino. In fact, there are several Prada stores and it is also home to the flagship Gucci store and an incredibly exclusive Armani nightclub.
On via Monte Napoleone, you’ll find several Prada stores, the flagship Gucci store, Pucci, Cartier and Fendi and the famous Cova Café. On via Sant’Andrea, there is an Hermès, Chanel and Armani store as well as the Museo di Milano, housed in the 17th century Palazzo Bolognini. Pedestrianised via della Spiga is a cobbled street that is home to two Dolce and Gabbana stores, a Roberto Cavalli, a Tiffany & Co. and another Prada. The Armani Megastore, meanwhile, is on via Manzoni and even has its own Nobu restaurant and an Emporio Armani Caffé for perfect coffee or brunch dates.
On via Monte Napoleone, you’ll find several Prada stores, the flagship Gucci store, Pucci, Cartier and Fendi and the famous Cova Café. On via Sant’Andrea, there is an Hermès, Chanel and Armani store as well as the Museo di Milano, housed in the 17th century Palazzo Bolognini. Pedestrianised via della Spiga is a cobbled street that is home to two Dolce and Gabbana stores, a Roberto Cavalli, a Tiffany & Co. and another Prada. The Armani Megastore, meanwhile, is on via Manzoni and even has its own Nobu restaurant and an Emporio Armani Caffé for perfect coffee or brunch dates.
Particular highlights of the area include the Stuart Weitzman store, with its shoes showcased on the organic, curving shelves in Zaha Hadid’s glorious interior design; Rolex, where a panoramic lift looks onto a vertical garden by Patrick Blanc; and Bice, the classic Milanese restaurant that serves up Tuscan cuisine and has been serving up delicious meals since the 1930s.
For a taste of what the fashion elite in Italy get up to and an insight into their world, a wander around this golden rectangle is just the thing. Even if you don't have the budget to indulge in a designer bag or expensive jewels, you can still go for Prada cocktails and Armani coffee and soak up the atmosphere of Milan.
For a taste of what the fashion elite in Italy get up to and an insight into their world, a wander around this golden rectangle is just the thing. Even if you don't have the budget to indulge in a designer bag or expensive jewels, you can still go for Prada cocktails and Armani coffee and soak up the atmosphere of Milan.
Photo credits
picture 2: JasonParis / CC BY 2.0;
picture 3: Angelo Amboldi / CC BY-ND 2.0
picture 2: JasonParis / CC BY 2.0;
picture 3: Angelo Amboldi / CC BY-ND 2.0
