Milan- Fashion and Design

  I wanted to check out  La Rinascente, a department store, walking distance from the Duomo. First floor was all about makeup. All cosmetic companies are here to give you a make over. Next four floors were designer clothes, shoes and accessories. You name a brand and you have it here. On the top floor are the restaurants and coffee shops. The basement was all sorts of miscellaneous stuff.The place is crazy pretty and if you appreciate design it is here you can get some European and Italian designers such as Alessi, Fritz Hansen, B&B Italia, Georg Jensen, Bodum and Kartell.Their products are all over in a supermarket setting, so no pushy salespeople to harass you. I got to oogle and drool at all sorts of pretty stuff. My favorite section was the housewares.  There is teaware inspired by the Japanese rock garden sand formation.There were really clever designs like a sharkfin soup bowl, paperbag vases, funky dome shaped jars with teaware in it. Variety of cups and plates and funky appliances. This place made me as "happy" as a bull in a china shop!!

In the furniture section was a nail-less constructed stools that were put together by a technique of grid locking. I am a sucker for such unique things and my mind was racing as to what all and how much I could lug back home. Check out the pics for all the cool stuff here.

I realized the term " Made in Italy " is certainly associated with beautifully crafted, well made, Italian design , quality, creativity, originality and style which has certainly established Italy as a premier design and manufacturing country in the world.