Address: Via Santo Spirito, 10, 20121 Milano MI, Italy
Website: ilsalumaiodimontenapoleone.it
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, encased in a glass-and-iron domed roof and home to Prada, Gucci and Giorgio Armani, among other local fashion brands, is an inescapable stop on any trip to the fashion capital. In this film, Meryl Streep filmed a particularly emotional and cinematic scene in the empty galleria. To achieve this, a tiny crew walked over from the Palazzo Parigi, which is only 10 minutes away, and, without telling the rest of the cast and crew, shot the scene with a drone and natural light at 2.30am. Although this magic might be hard to replicate, a shimmy through the arcade is an unforgettable experience. During fashion week, the boutiques attract crowds while famous fashion show guests try on their front row looks. I can’t help but go and watch on my way to pick up some candied almonds from the Galleria’s beautiful pasticceria Marchesi 1824 – Ballarin’s favourite place for a morning espresso. For architecture lovers, the brutalist Torre Velasca tower is truly astonishing, and can be seen in all its glory from the roof of the Duomo.
Address: 20123 Milan, Metropolitan City of Milan, Italy
Website: yesmilano.it
Villa Arconati
Half an hour outside of Milan in the tiny village of Castellazzo di Bollate, you can find the majestic Villa Arconati. Dating back to medieval times and with several reconstruction cycles in the centuries since, the Villa has been described as an Italian Versailles – it certainly has the imposing size and manicured gardens to compete. The charming villa and its long and important history are preserved by the Augusto Rancilio Foundation, which opens the house to the public on Sundays and for private events during the week. The trompe-l’œil staircase is my must-see. In The Devil Wears Prada 2, Ballerin harnessed its size to host a number of scenes known as motion sequences. The film follows the Runway team around fashion shows, presentations and parties – all seemingly in Milan – but shown throughout the villa’s many elegant rooms and carefully edited together. Back in the city, Villa Necchi Campiglio, known as ‘Villa Nikki’ to locals and designed by the famous architect Portaluppi, is a 1930s Art Deco masterpiece that fashion film lovers might recognise from another Italian film starring Lady Gaga.
