Saturday 26th October Today I opted for safe outfit consisting of comfy black leggings and a nautical inspired black vest with a detailed bow. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the locals and believed this combo to be least likely to offend anyone. The most delightful discovery so far is that Italian’s welcome eating cakes for breakfast as the norm so I choose a yummy looking sponge cake with Vanilla flavoured herbal tea. Besides I don’t believe in diets and you only live once. After a friends recommendation we decide that we are firstly going to visit the landmark Cathedral Duomo in the centre of Milan and behind the building stands the famous Galleria Vittoria Emanule 11.

Duomo Cathedral

  On the journey to the city centre we realise our hotel is in China town a hip district of the inner city where older Italian citizens reside. Locals speed around on Motorbikes everyone from Yummy Mummies with their off spring perched on the back seat to suited city boys bankers on their way to work everyone seems to prefer two wheeled speed.   Surprisingly even the retired silver foxes wiz past us in their slacks I try to imagine the elderly in England doing this but simply can’t.  I breathe in through my nose to savour the delightful atmospheric aroma your senses only pick up when you are overseas in the Mediterranean intoxicating heat. Can you recall that very moment when you have just landed in a new country and you step off the plane? You instantly rejoice in the realisation that finally you have finalty left the  big freeze. Once out the central train station there is a giant multi coloured needle and thread poking through the streets paved with gold right into the late summer sky, we really are in the city that lives for fashion priding  itself on being the world’s beacon of style.

  You could be forgiven for thinking you had accidently walked into a  zombie B movie film set as  motionless mannequins  stand dressed for the summer season stood imprizoned in glass boxes like art priceless exhibition pieces. Lets hope they don’t come alive after dark.   Decorative Coca Cola bottles are also exhibited after being  refashioned by artists  throughout the city. (They resembling the Manchester Cow parade) it’s all part of Milan Loves Fashion festivities. Even here we can’t escape our British celebrity heritage as billboards of the Beckham’s follow us around. Fortunately this doesindeed  include the one where he is flying solo wearing little more than a smile in his knowing  “Hello Girls” smuldering pose for the famous Armani underwear ad. You have to see it to really believe but there are actual  plasma screens broadcasting 24 hour catwalk fashion shows, so ladies get ready to perfect your Supermodel walk, workin it in fierce heels.

  The gothic architecture of the Duomo is breathtaking as religious statued figures stand out like haunting gargoyles’. I get told to cover up my modesty by the armed guards as we enter the interior of the building. So much for my non offensive black combo safety plan! Right behind the cathedral there we stumbled across the famous Galleria Vittoria Emanuele II which is unashamedly both & ostentatious romanticaly regal, housing world famous fashion Mecca’s Gucci, Prada and Louis Vutton.

One word – wow! It’s not surprising that the city is also famous for its cutting edge designs as the building has a glass ceiling with stone angels guarding over thefts and detecting fake Fendi bags! LOL.

 Who’s ingenious idea was it to allow Mcdonaulds a place in the hall of fame? Talk about bring the joint down and a Maccydee is eight Euros in Milan. I braved venturing into Gucci but was disappointed by their poor range of dull handbags and limited stock. We’re in Milan and I would expect a lot more.

  Whilst on the way to another McDonalds outlet we are approached by a pretty Italian girl asking us what language we speak. Thankgod she speaks English as she invites us to visit a fashion magazine Donna Moderna which has recently moved offices and she explains as part of Milan fashion week they are inviting members of the public inside for a tour, make over and refreshments. “Like Yeah!” I screamed. Result! I was so giddy as being a fashion journalist graduate I have never actually been inside a fashion magazine office so we jumped at the chance. Inside there was a poster of non other than Hollywood scarlet Misha Barton so these guys must carry some serious weight add her to their interview credentials.

  In the corner there was a makeup artist painting someone’s face, I accepted some Italian coffee and sipped it whilst chatting to a friendly journalist. She informed me that we had just missed the one and only fashion show that was open to the public last night and held right outside the Duomo cathedral. I was gutted but intrigued to quiz her on the shows she had attended, apparently Naomi Campbell, Claudia Chauffer and Hilary Swank were all at the Versace show she attended yesterday. I soooooo wished we could blag our way into a show, if only I still had my BBC pass.  When she turned away I raided the offices cabinets searching for a press pass! No joy boo, but what an end to a fantastic day all the same.