Fashion Week & Design Week

By Txell Borràs, University of Bocconi, Milan, Italy

Living in Milan, as soon as the months of February and then April come around, you can feel the excitement and anticipation building in the city. Fashion Week and Design Week aren’t just events; they’re immersive experiences that transform the city—and the life of those living there—into a roller coaster of glamour and creativity, turning what would appear as regular weeks into the highlights of the year.

Milan Transforms

When Fashion Week arrives, Milan is no longer just the place where we live, but it becomes a vibrant, pulsating hub of style. The usual and ordinary way to university feels different as you share the tram with editors, bloggers, and models, dressed in the most glamourous and picturesque ways. Iconic venues like the Palazzo Reale and the Arco della Pace are suddenly hosting runway shows and shootings for magazines, the news or social media content; it sets the stage for global fashion trends.

On the other side, during Design Week, the energy shifts into a more creative, artistic vibe. Salone del Mobile turns the immense Fiera Milano into a wonderland of design, and you can easily find yourself getting lost in endless halls of innovative furniture and decor. The real magic, however, happens in the streets. Fuorisalone (out of hall) events spread across the city, turning every street and corner into an exhibition space.

Getting Around

Living in Milan during this time is not all smooth sailing. Firstly, it requires a lot of planning to do, having in mind all the shows you want to attend, and making them fit into your schedule. Bear in mind that it is impossible to attend all of them, and when I say attend, I mean to wait outside the venue alongside hundreds of people to see the invitees, get a couple of pictures and pray to, with a lot of luck get in somehow. However, you must go with a positive mind set because even if you do not get in, the experience is already out of this world.

Fashion Week

As a fashion enthusiast, Milan Fashion Week is my personal heaven. Even without an invite, you already feel part of the movement as the streets offer a continuous spectacle. I love people-watching on the main streets, such as Via Montenapoleone and the Quadrilatero d’Oro, where every passerby seems to have stepped out of a magazine or a movie. Street style photographers flood the streets, capturing every outfit, pose and beauty. It’s impossible not to get caught up in the excitement. Evidently, the runway shows, presentations, and after-parties are the main characters of the week.

Fashion Week and Design Week are a time when Milan’s elegance and dynamism are on full display. Whether you’re a fashion enthusiast, a design aficionado, or simply a lover of vibrant city life, these weeks will change your life and offer an unforgettable journey through the world of style and innovation.