MILANO

LAST DAY OF SHOWS

SATURDAY, MARCH 19th

1000

Wake up just in time for breakfast. Spend the day working on articles and posting pictures in the lobby. We order some pizzas from across the street for a late lunch. That's right a pizza each. 

1800 ROBERTO CAVALLI 

We decide we have to go out at least one night in Milan and plan not to come home after Cavalli. We are late getting ready and have to order a cab. It takes us about ten minutes - 20euros! - to get to the piazza san babila, 3 where we will pass through Milan's version of the Arc de Triomph into the tent they have set up exclusively for Cavalli. What a location! 

I don't have an invitation and am feeling particularly anxious so Lindsay does the talking. The PR are lovely and let me pass no problem. Lindsay has a designated seat and I am supposed to be standing but try my luck and sit beside her on the bench hoping nobody comes to claim the spot. We are third row back section D. In the second row of our section sits Scott Schumann and Garance Dore. Lindsay interviews Garance for her favourite spots in Paris. In the front row sits Anna Wintour. A little bit down sits Anna Dello Russo. Photographers are snapping shots of Kelly Rowland who is posing on the runway. Everyone is twittering. Bryan Boy tweets he is late and receives responses giving minute to minute updates on status of the show.

As our row fills up it is always impossible to read the seat numbers on the benches. I am in someone's seat but they have no idea and have seemingly just squished into the row so I get to stay. The lady on my right asks us where we are from, and in turn she tells us she's from Toronto. I ask her who she works for: FASHION magazine. She is Susie Scheffman fashion editor of FASHION magazine, where I have been going to apply for an internship! I tell her I have been interning for Madeleine Czigler. She knows Madeleine and asks that I say hello. In the end I get the names and addresses of the online and art department editors, with instructions to send of an e-mail as soon as possible. What luck!

Anna Dello Russo and Bryan Boy

I had been disappointed that I was not on the Podium and wouldn't get good pictures from my spot but  this was obviously meant to be! Instead I got to sit back and enjoy the show. Animal prints. Lots of animal prints. Spotted leopard over striped thigh high leopard print boots. Layers of sheer luxury fabrics. Flowing floor length dresses over sequined tights. Very Italian. Glam and excess I never before appreciated. Seeing it on the runway over models dressed the way the designers imagined it by their illustrations and in such an exciting atmosphere where it feels like everyone is holding their breath it was awe-inspiring.

I call my mom as soon as I leave the show practically in tears of excitement I can't wait to tell her about my luck. Lindsay and I beat the crowds to the nearby aperitivo, order some champaign to celebrate a successful week and eat all we can off the free all you can eat buffet. Then we hop across the street to Bhangrabar and do the same. We end at the garden patio of the fashionable 10 Corso Como for a nightcap.

FRIDAY, FEB 26, 2011
MILANO CAMERA MODA FALL/WINTER 2011
DAY 3

1030 backstage at Antonio Marras
We arrive a little late and having started to get the impression that all backstages are the same, spend only a minute with the models and dressers before heading to our seats. In the second row we sit by an aisle hoping to move forward and get a good view for pictures when the show starts. Unfortunately a videographer has the same idea so I am only a spectator at this show.
1940s inspired with plenty of wool and knits in charcoals, navys and moss greens, it is some of the more fall/winter appropriate clothing we have seen.  The detail and quality, the time that has gone into creating each piece is apparent. An beautiful presentation: the stage  backdrop splits to reveal all the models lined up on tiered levels like a choir as the finale. After a few moments and a standing ovation, the models swarm the runway to an upbeat soundtrack. Most impressive finale to date.

1130 - 1400 ETRO
Because Antonio Marras started so late we make a choice to skip Les Copains and take the press bus directly to Etro. It takes us an hour to get through traffic. We have standing room only and have to wait outside. Street photographers are everywhere. Today everyone is dressed really well, and I wish I had nicer shoes. When we are let in its another wait before they let us to our seats. The red-tie guys don't seem to know what is going on. Just as the lights are dimmed, we jump the ropes with the crowds of people and I head directly to the front row, Lindsay sits just behind me. I have a perfect seat right beside a very nice journalist from V magazine.

Not surprisingly, this is by far the best collection we have seen so far.

1500 Massimo Rebecchi
Over to Massimo Rebecchi who always shows in a jaw-dropping gold gilded and mirrored room. We have front row and sit down between two famous italian beauties. We are told one is a model, the other a journalist. As the show starts I am yelled at in Italian by all the photographers on the podium for leaning too far out onto the runway as I attempt to take pictures. They had to know this would happen considering their position on the Podium. The corner is where I end up at most shows and just have to deal with it.

Brightly coloured ankle socks match with pumps gets me excited for spring!

1600 Blumarine
I sadly did not receive an invitation and decide not to hound the PR, at least this time. As Lindsay heads to the show I work in the press lounge in anticipation of C'N'C.

1730 C'N'C Costume National
I head over early to the tent in Piazza Duomo, just steps from the press lounge, to try and get early entry as a photographer. There are already crowds outside. I wave down a PR person who is standing behind all the red-ties. My invitation is for seat Cd3 but I say my editor would prefer me to take pictures from the podium. She says of course you can pass, but looks confused and asks me if I have a camera, which is particularly embarrassing because my camera is hanging off my shoulder. So what my lens isn't two feet long and I don't have a monopod sticking out of my bag.

I am one of the first to arrive who like to shoot from the front row of the podium and plant myself just off centre feet from the edge of the runway. The next hour is hell. The show is supposed to start at 1800 which of course means 1830/1845. The pit is a mess and photographers are fighting to get their cameras in. Some Italian television program wants to put an operator behind me and tries to make me move. He basically puts a tripod on top of me. I scream at him and he asks to see my business card. He wants proof that I am a photographer and so I show him my photographers press badge (100 euros well spent!) Some of the other photographers are on my side and yell a bit of Italian at him so he finally lays off. Fellow photographer Alex who is staying at our hotel and has been giving me tips on Photoshop comes to claim his spot on my right.

At the same time as all of this frustration the dress rehearsal is underway. Some of the models are joking around with us. One takes a snapshot of the pit as she does her turn at the end of the runway and everyone applauds.

Finally crowds start rushing in. I recognize famed fashion blogger and fashion editor at Vogue Japan Anna Dello Russo, dressed as always in bright colours.

Everyone is seated and we are still waiting for it to start. The photographers start whistling and clapping to get the show on the road. They are a noisy bunch! I just read in WWD Collections that at Doo.Ri in New York last fall, the music gave out mid-way through a David Bowie song and the photographers took over whistling the tune.

note the hand in the handbag

A favourite model, walked a lot this season. 

We think they were told to smile at the end of the runway.

Male models walk C'N'C Costume National.

1930
Lindsay meets me at the front and whispers she has a story to tell as she quickly turns to say goodbye to the passing Anna Dello Russo. As we get outside and pass through the street photographers she tells me she got backstage access, an interview with the designer, AND got to ask Ms Dello Russo about her favourite things to do in Milan, an interview she will write for Stylesight's members only Citizen Hip.

We breifly check out a store opening by San Babila and are a little unimpressed so instead of waiting for champagne head straight to aperitivo at the nearby Victory Cafe. Delicious! For 7euros each we get a bright pink italian cocktail and fill up on pastas and salads from the free buffet.

300 the next day
Finally going to bed after editing all night in the lobby. What a great day!

Thursday February 24th
MILAN FALL/WINTER 2011 DAY 2

1230 backstage at ERMANNO SCERVINO
Snap some shots backstage at the Piazza Duommo tent. Lost a little courage from the day before so I don't attempt to tackle the photographers pit.

smiling models backstage at Ermanno Scervino

1400
Lunch at the press lobby which is really nearby: ricotta vegetarian lasagna and after eight mousse for desert.

1500 HAUTE
On the podium. 1930s gangster inspired with pleated trousers, maxi coats, paperboy caps and fur. A neutral palette which is rare this season. Not particularly unique but my style.

1600 KRIZIA
This show drew a huge crowd of mostly Italians. Crouched on the scattered podium beside infamous Italian fashion writer and style icon Anna Piaggi who was escorted in just as the show started. The Facehunter was getting close up shots for his street style blog out front after the show.

I got great pictures. Unfortunately I - along with what I could tell many who attended - did not like the show.

Harsh cuts and bold colours that stuck to red white and black, even the setting was cold. Overall a lack of femininity. The press release dedicated the collection to fashionistas who are tired of the vulgarity in womens clothes but in fact vulgar might be a good description.

KRIZIA

1730
Lunch number 2 at the press lobby: sandwhiches and champagne, cookies and cappucino.

1900 CORTO MOLTEDO STORE OPENING

We skip Albino for the opening of Italian accessories brand Corto Moltedo's new Milan boutique. A huge turn out of models, journalists and wealthy Italians filled the nearby coutyard with champaign in hand. Since then we have noticed the structured mini clutches and brightly sparkling rubber laptop cases everywhere. The IT accesory brand this season in Milan.


Corto Moltedo's Pool Party on Nowness.com.


2000 ANTEPRIMA
Back to the Duomo for our last show and a spot on the podium. Simple clean cuts and solid colours equals a little boring. However I Loved the high wasted velvet skirts and black fur full length coat.

ANTEPRIMA

2100
We miss apertivo and like the night before are stuck in the touristy centre. Out of money we opt for a fast food dinner, buy a cheap bottle of wine and head back to the hotel to get some work done.

2200
Edit photos and publish on fashion windows in the lobby. To bed by 300.