Milan in Motion: Fashion’s Cultural Heartbeat Returns for September 2025
As the third stop on the global fashion month circuit, Milan doesn’t just host Fashion Week it embodies it. The Italian capital of fashion and design transforms each September into a living runway, where style is not a seasonal performance but a deeply rooted cultural expression. For Italians, dressing well is never frivolous it’s a reflection of heritage, pride, and artistry. And during Fashion Week, Milan pulses with a unique energy that spills from the catwalks into every corner of the city.
Brera’s Academy
From the architectural serenity of Fondazione Prada to the theatrical grandeur of Dolce & Gabbana’s headquarters, the city becomes a stage for fashion’s most anticipated moments. Crowds gather outside show venues with the fervour of concert fans, creating a street-style spectacle that rivals the runways themselves. The atmosphere is electric, and Milan’s devotion to fashion is palpable.
This season, from September 23 to 29, Milan Fashion Week will showcase the Spring/Summer 2026 collections, and the lineup promises fresh perspectives and bold debuts. Gucci opens the week with Demna’s first collection for the house, presented as a static installation designed to reintroduce the brand’s core identity. Simone Bellotti follows with his debut at Jil Sander, while Louise Trotter brings her refined vision to Bottega Veneta, marking a new chapter for the brand’s artisanal legacy. Versace, now under the creative direction of Dario Vitale, will host a confidential presentation, teasing its evolving aesthetic ahead of a full runway return next season.
Milan Street Style during Fashion Week
Beyond the shows, Milan offers a rich tapestry of experiences that blend fashion, art, and culture. The streets around Via Montenapoleone remain the epicenter of luxury retail, with flagship boutiques from Prada, Valentino, and Bulgari lining the elegant thoroughfare. But the city’s creative pulse extends beyond the golden quadrilateral. Brera’s bohemian charm, with its galleries and hidden courtyards, offers a quieter kind of inspiration. And 10 Corso Como, one of the world’s most celebrated concept stores, continues to be a magnet for tastemakers seeking curated fashion, design, and lifestyle pieces.
This September, Milan’s cultural calendar is equally vibrant. The “Serate d’incanto” evenings on the Duomo terraces offer panoramic views of the city bathed in twilight, running every Thursday until September 11. Fuoricinema returns from September 5–7, transforming the Biblioteca degli Alberi into an open-air cinema with screenings, talks, and community gatherings that blend film and fashion in a uniquely Milanese way.
Art lovers should not miss the Pinacoteca di Brera, which offers free admission on the first Sunday of the month. Its collection from Mantegna to Hayez provides a moment of quiet reflection amid the fashion frenzy, reminding visitors of Milan’s layered cultural legacy.
The city’s hospitality scene is also buzzing with new openings. ByIT, a sleek bar in Brera, offers a refined mixology experience with a menu that reimagines classic cocktails like the Negroni and Margarita. Atelier Prato in Cadorna blends floral art, international cuisine, and Peruvian coffee in a serene, design-forward space. For Mediterranean flavors, Porticcioli Milano in Sempione serves standout dishes like prawn tartare with citrus and burrata, perfect for a stylish lunch between shows.
What makes Milan Fashion Week so compelling isn’t just the clothes it’s the city itself. Milan is a place where tradition and innovation coexist, where craftsmanship meets concept, and where fashion is not just worn but lived. This September, with new creative visions, landmark debuts, and a city-wide celebration of style, Milan reminds us why it remains the beating heart of fashion.
Whether you’re front row at Gucci, sipping espresso in Brera, or catching a film under the stars, Milan offers a sensory experience that transcends trends. And in 2025, that mood is more vibrant than ever.
Discover 5 Best Luxury Hotels in Milan handpicked by Luxury Endless
Casa Cipriani Milano: Where Discreet Luxury Meets Milanese Elegance
In a city where fashion is a way of life and elegance is second nature, Casa Cipriani Milano has quickly become the most coveted private members’ club in town. Opened in late 2023 in a beautifully restored 20th-century palazzo in Porta Venezia, the club is the Milanese expression of the Cipriani legacy famed for Venice’s Harry’s Bar, where the Bellini cocktail was first poured. That same spirit of refined indulgence now lives on in Milan, where plush forest green velvets, dark mahogany, and warm walnut woods create a mood that’s both intimate and grand.
Designed by Florentine architect Michele Bönan, the interiors blend timeless Italian craftsmanship with cosmopolitan flair. The club is accessible only to members and resident guests, but those who book one of the fifteen butler-serviced rooms are granted full access to its privileges. Each suite is a study in seductive elegance: striped wallpaper, thick velvet curtains, and black-and-white prints by fashion photographer Marco Glaviano set the tone, while the marble-clad bathrooms offer a sanctuary of indulgence. It’s a space that feels curated, cinematic, and quietly opulent.
The Club Restaurant, located on the third floor, is a destination in itself. With terrace seating that opens during the warmer months, it serves Cipriani classics like beef Carpaccio and the original Bellini alongside seasonal Venetian and Italian dishes. The atmosphere is convivial yet discreet ideal for both business lunches and late-night rendezvous. After dinner, members drift upstairs to the Living Room, a top-floor retreat with skyline views, jazz-infused playlists, and a curated selection of rare spirits. It’s the kind of place where conversations linger and time slows down.
Wellness is treated not as a trend but as a ritual. The fitness centre overlooks the Indro Montanelli Gardens, allowing guests to work out with a view of one of Milan’s most historic green spaces. Downstairs, the spa offers a salt-water flotation pool, reflexology treatments, and stress-recovery massages delivered by hand-picked therapists. It’s a serene escape designed for quiet indulgence and holistic restoration.
Casa Cipriani’s location is no accident. Situated across from the Giardini Indro Montanelli and just steps from the Palestro metro station, it offers easy access to Milan’s Fashion District and cultural landmarks. Via della Spiga and Corso Venezia are a short walk away, making it an ideal base for those in town for Fashion Week, Salone del Mobile, or simply a weekend of refined leisure.
In 2025, the club continues to expand its cultural programming. Themed evenings range from jazz nights to backgammon tournaments, while exclusive member events now include art previews, culinary masterclasses, and private shopping experiences with Milanese designers. It’s a place where connections are made, ideas are exchanged, and luxury is lived—not just displayed.
Casa Cipriani Milano isn’t just a hotel or a club it’s a lifestyle. It represents a new chapter in Milan’s hospitality scene, one that blends heritage with modernity, privacy with community. For those who value elegance, intimacy, and impeccable service, it’s the place to be—and be seen. Whether you’re sipping a Bellini on the terrace, unwinding in the spa, or dressing for dinner in one of the club’s quietly opulent suites, Casa Cipriani offers a Milan experience that’s as timeless as it is contemporary. In a city that knows fashion, it’s the ultimate accessory
Mandarin Oriental, Milan: A Decade of Quiet Glamour and Creative Escape
Marking its 10th anniversary this season, Mandarin Oriental, Milan remains one of the city’s most refined addresses an elegant retreat for Creative Directors and tastemakers who don’t live in town but need a discreet, design-forward base during Fashion Week, Salone del Mobile, or private brand meetings. Tucked away on Via Andegari, just steps from the Fashion District’s golden triangle, the hotel occupies four interconnected early 20th-century buildings, restored with a reverence for Milanese architecture and a distinctly modern sensibility.
Designed by Antonio Citterio, the interiors are a masterclass in understated luxury. Soft, mellow tones, bespoke boiserie, and Italian artisanal finishes create a calm, residential atmosphere that feels worlds away from the city’s high-octane energy. For visiting creatives, the Milano Suites are a favourite spacious, light-filled, and layered with curated art and thoughtful details that make working, hosting, or simply unwinding feel effortless.
The Mandarin Bar & Bistrot is a magnet for Milan’s fashion crowd, especially during aperitivo hour. Its bold geometric interiors contrast beautifully with the leafy courtyard, which becomes the social heart of the hotel in warmer months. Inventive cocktails many inspired by the Bellini legacy are crafted by expert mixologists, and the atmosphere is relaxed yet polished. It’s where editors, stylists, and designers meet between shows, and where conversations often spark new collaborations.
At the Michelin-starred Seta, Executive Chef Antonio Guida continues to define Milanese fine dining with his poetic, precision-driven cuisine. Influenced by his Apulian roots and global experience, Guida’s dishes are layered, expressive, and deeply seasonal. To celebrate the hotel’s milestone, he’s introduced a special “10 Years of Seta” tasting menu a curated journey through his most iconic creations, including Risotto with raspberry and herb cream, Red Wine Glazed Eel with Foie Gras, and Oysters with Champagne sauce. The restaurant’s open kitchen and serene courtyard setting make it one of the city’s most memorable dining experiences.
Wellness at Mandarin Oriental is treated as ritual rather than routine. The spa offers six treatment rooms, a salt-water swimming pool, saunas, steam rooms, and a state-of-the-art beauty salon. Eastern and Western therapies are seamlessly blended, from reflexology and stress-recovery massages to signature facials using Swiss and Japanese skincare lines. The fitness centre overlooks the Indro Montanelli Gardens, offering a rare moment of greenery and calm in the heart of the city.
Location remains one of the hotel’s greatest assets. With Via della Spiga, Corso Venezia, and Montenapoleone just minutes away, guests are perfectly positioned for showroom visits, gallery openings, and private shopping appointments. The Palestro metro station is nearby, making it easy to navigate the city’s cultural and commercial hubs.
Ten years on, Mandarin Oriental, Milan continues to offer more than just luxury it offers belonging. For Creative Directors flying in for key moments, it’s a place to recharge, reflect, and reconnect with the city’s rhythm. With its blend of heritage, hospitality, and high design, it remains one of Milan’s most quietly powerful addresses where elegance is lived, not performed.
Hotel Principe di Savoia: Milan’s Timeless Icon of Grandeur
In a city where fashion and elegance are woven into daily life, Hotel Principe di Savoia stands as one of Milan’s most enduring symbols of luxury. A member of the Dorchester Collection, this grande dame hotel has welcomed royalty, designers, and discerning travelers for nearly a century, offering a blend of classical opulence and Art Deco flair that feels both cinematic and deeply Milanese.
Located on Piazza della Repubblica, just minutes from the Fashion District and Brera, the hotel occupies a commanding position in the city’s cultural and commercial landscape. Its interiors are a celebration of Italian craftsmanship: the lobby lounge dazzles with a monumental Murano glass chandelier, while classical paintings including works attributed to Luca Giordano add gravitas to the space. The rooms and suites are equally resplendent, adorned with frescoes, silk textiles, and bespoke furnishings that evoke the golden age of European hospitality.
The heartbeat of the hotel is Principe Bar, a favourite among celebrities, fashion insiders, and Milanese socialites. Its sculpted tinted crystal bar and back-lit mirrored wall create a dramatic setting for aperitivo hour, where signature cocktails like the “Principe Negroni” are served with flair. In summer, the energy spills out into the garden terrace, offering a lush escape from the city’s bustle.
For dinner, Acanto Restaurant delivers a refined take on Italian cuisine under the direction of Executive Chef Matteo Gabrielli. The menu celebrates seasonal produce and regional traditions, with standout dishes like pink prawn tartare with marinated strawberries and smoked lobster with potato cream. The wine list is among the finest in Milan, curated to complement the restaurant’s elegant yet inventive approach. Weekend open-air barbecues in the Acanto garden have become a seasonal highlight, drawing both locals and guests for alfresco dining in a serene, Italian-style setting.
Wellness is elevated to an art form at Club 10, the hotel’s 10th-floor fitness and spa centre. With panoramic views of Milan’s skyline, guests can work out in natural light before retreating to the spa for a salt-water swim, sauna session, or signature massage. The space is sleek, tranquil, and designed for restoration ideal for early risers or those winding down after a day of shows and meetings.
In summer 2025, the hotel introduced a new boating experience on Lake Iseo, offering guests a curated escape beyond the city. It’s part of a broader initiative to connect Milan’s urban luxury with the natural beauty of Lombardy, reinforcing Principe di Savoia’s role not just as a hotel, but as a lifestyle curator.
With its rich history, impeccable service, and ever-evolving offerings, Hotel Principe di Savoia remains a cornerstone of Milanese hospitality. For those seeking a stay that’s both glamorous and grounded in tradition, it’s the ultimate address where Milan’s past and present meet in perfect harmony.
Portrait Milano: Milan’s Most Elegant Revival
In the heart of Milan’s Fashion Quadrilateral, where heritage and haute couture collide, Portrait Milano has redefined luxury hospitality with a sense of grandeur and intimacy that few addresses can match. Housed in the former Archiepiscopal Seminary on Corso Venezia a baroque masterpiece dating back to 1565 the hotel opened its doors in December 2022 following a meticulous restoration led by architect Michele De Lucchi and the Lungarno Collection, under the vision of Leonardo Ferragamo.
What was once one of Europe’s oldest seminaries is now a sanctuary of style, culture, and Milanese spirit. The transformation is nothing short of poetic: the vast 32,000-square-foot courtyard, once cloistered and private, has been reborn as a public piazza inaugurated by Milan’s mayor. It now connects Corso Venezia to Via Sant’Andrea, offering a rare sense of openness in a district known for its exclusivity.
Portrait Milano’s ground floor is a curated Milanese playground. Beneath its elegant colonnades, guests and locals mingle among boutiques, wellness spaces, and culinary destinations. Antonia, the cult fashion retailer, has opened a 750-square-meter concept store here, while Beefbar brings its cosmopolitan Italian dining to the eastern wing of the square. The 10_11 Bar Giardino Ristorante, meanwhile, has become a social hub, serving seasonal dishes and inventive cocktails in a setting that blends Milanese tradition with contemporary flair.
The hotel’s 73 suites and rooms are designed as refined Milanese apartments, evoking mid-century elegance with a palette of walnut wood, cardinal red velvet, and tailored details. Antler-like leather handles crafted by Florentine artisans add a tactile richness, while powder rooms are stocked with comprehensive vanity kits that feel more like private dressing rooms than hotel bathrooms. Architect Michele Bönan’s vision channels the stately mansions of Milan’s past, with layered textures, curated artwork, and a sense of residential calm that appeals to fashion insiders and creative directors seeking discretion and inspiration.
Wellness is woven into the experience. Beneath the ancient vaults, guests discover a serene spa, gym, and swimming pool—an urban retreat that balances the city’s fast pace with restorative rituals. The hotel also offers private event spaces, ideal for intimate brand launches or art previews, reinforcing its role as a cultural and creative hub.
Portrait Milano is more than a hotel it’s a living monument to Milan’s layered identity. It offers guests not just a place to stay, but a way to experience the city’s soul: its architecture, its fashion, its quiet elegance. For those arriving from abroad, especially creative professionals who need a base that’s both inspiring and central, Portrait Milano is the ultimate Milanese address steeped in history, yet entirely of the moment.
Casa Baglioni: Brera’s Artistic Jewel for the Cultured Traveller
Tucked into the cobbled elegance of Milan’s Brera district, Casa Baglioni is the kind of hotel that doesn’t shout—it whispers. Opened in February 2023, just in time for Fashion Week, this boutique property from the Baglioni Hotels Collection has quickly earned its place among Milan’s most refined addresses. But unlike its flashier neighbours, Casa Baglioni offers something more intimate: a quiet celebration of Milanese artistry, mid-century design, and Italian hospitality at its most thoughtful.
Set within a historic building on Via dei Giardini, the hotel is a tribute to 1960s Milan a golden era of creativity and design. Milanese architects Spagnulo & Partners have curated every detail with reverence and restraint. The interiors are layered with rich walnut, cardinal red velvet, and chevron parquet floors, while lighting by Panzeri and fabrics by Rubelli and Dedar add texture and warmth. Art is everywhere, but never overwhelming: works by Enrico Castellani, Carla Accardi, Christo, and Agostino Bonalumi are woven into the spaces like quiet companions, and each room includes a pocket-sized art guide to help guests explore the stories behind them.
With just 30 rooms and suites, the atmosphere is personal and polished. The Brera Presidential Suite, with its private terrace and skyline views, is a favourite among visiting creatives and fashion insiders. Touch-sensitive lighting, bespoke furnishings, and marble bathrooms elevate the experience, while the overall aesthetic feels more like a beautifully curated Milanese apartment than a traditional hotel.
Downstairs, the hotel’s culinary offering is led by Michelin-starred Chef Claudio Sadler, whose restaurant Sadler brings a fresh Mediterranean touch to Milan’s dining scene. Dishes like citrus-marinated scallops and saffron risotto are paired with rare vintages from the hotel’s Wine Cellar, which offers private tastings upon request. It’s a space where gastronomy meets gallery elegant, expressive, and unmistakably Italian.
But Casa Baglioni’s true magic lies in its connection to Brera itself. Long considered Milan’s artistic soul, Brera remains a locals’ district home to galleries, antique shops, and artist studios tucked behind ivy-covered facades. The hotel team has partnered with exceptional local guides to offer bespoke cultural experiences, from private museum tours to behind-the-scenes visits with working artists. It’s an invitation to see Milan not just as a fashion capital, but as a living canvas.