So another week in fashion is over, but before we repack our bags and head to Paris, we thought we’d recap on the best from Milan. Obviously you have been following our show reports and hopefully it felt like you were with us in the blistering Italian sunshine (although cooler than we were in the autumn goodies that we took along), but doesn’t everyone like to see the best bits again, and a few of the bits that we didn’t share with you the first time around. So here you have it, Milan in six stops, and an extra one for those who were homesick…

1) Dolce & Gabbana’s embracing of bloggers and all things interactive!
We arrived to plasma screens showing arrivals (our faces that big at that time of day, we didn’t really need to see), and exclusive backstage footage, while A-list bloggers were set up on the front row complete with internet and laptops. Then of course there was the collection of glorious tailoring, tropical prints, corsetry (of course, this is Dolce and Gabbana) and pure unashamed glamour!

2) The Prada Concept Store
You want to customize a Prada jacket, trench, puffa or boots? You got it! This bespoke store in Milan does for the label’s collections what they’ve been doing for their luggage for seasons. This is what dreams are made of… a Prada shop to really play in.

3) Alberta Ferretti’s Music
‘Room with a View’ soundtrack that almost had us weeping from beginning to end. Yes we are that soft.

4) The new Jimmy Choo collection

You know the kid’s trainers that light up when they walk, that you’ve always been slightly jealous of? Well thanks to Jimmy Choo you too can have your own adult pair…with a heel. The ‘Zap’ heels are designed for the big kid in you, but also for the stylish lady in you too...

5) Jil Sander’s Porn!
Video screens was a bit of a theme in Milan, but while Dolce & Gabbana showed us, Raf Simons for Jil Sander went for something, ahem, harder. While we were waiting, there was art by Christo and Richard Long, but as soon as the models hit the catwalk it was hardcore porn by Michelangelo Antonioni, the director of ‘Blow Up’ fame.

6) Tod’s Presentation Setting
While we love all the fashion on our travels, we also love a bit of history. Thankfully Tod’s gave us both. After we took in all their gorgeous new season shoes and bags, we took a tour of their venue. The Villa Necchi was once home to the Italian equivalent of the Singer sewing machine family, and is as beautiful and as art-deco desirable as you can imagine from 1930s architecture. We could quite happily have moved in.

7) A bit of the Brits
Yes we were in Italy and yes we were there to support their wares, but that doesn’t mean we couldn’t do some flag-waving of our own. First there was the gorgeous collection of Versus dresses, designed for the first time by Christopher Kane, which we had to applaud. And then we ran into our lovely homeboys, Jonathan Saunders and Nicholas Kirkwood, at Pollini, and we all waxed lyrical about Jonathan’s phenomenal return to London Fashion Week and just how busy Nicholas is! It’s always good to see a familiar face.

Now, next stop Paris!

- Kay Barron