Interior designer Giulia and architect Elena co-own DesignByGemini – a creative design studio in Milan’s trendy Isola district where they specialise in creating installations for the city’s big events. You can usually find them at Fashion Week, hobnobbing with Milan’s upper crust and showing off their coordinated garms. We sat down with them in their flashy pink workspace to ask where the cool kids of Milan hang out.
“Milan is the capital of design and fashion.
Even in Italy, the land of beauty and details, we have the most talented manufacturers and a huge influx of young creatives right now. You only need to go to the city’s concept shops to see what we mean – like 10 Corso Como, an amazing boutique hidden in a courtyard. It’s an oasis of high style with a bar, a bookshop and a gallery.”
“Couture style and architecture are entwined here,
like at Fondazione Prada, a cultural institute and collaboration between the famous fashion house and Dutch rockstar architect Rem Koolhaas. But the best things happen behind closed doors, so try to make friends with the locals.”
“So many beautiful places are nearby.
Bosco Verticale is a new residential tower development in the city covered in trees that’s worth a visit for its strange but wonderful architecture. Varenna is a lovely town on Lake Como not far from here – it makes a lovely contrast to Milan as it feels very stuck in time.”
“Of course, the food is incredible.
Local speciality saffron risotto is a must-try, in particular at classic Milanese restaurant La Libera. With a glass of red wine, of course.”
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Images: Amandine Dowle / 10 Corso Como / Getty Images
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