Milan Fashion Week: glam for cheap

For the ladies out there, this one is for you. You know what September means… Fashion Week. New York, Paris, London, Milan! Designers slave away all summer to get their collection in order while we just lounge the summer away on the beach. Fall has arrived and it’s time for Milan Fashion Week.

If you’re going to hit up one Fashion Week, make it Milan. Italy is after all one of the world’s capitals of fashion and if you haven’t already had the opportunity to explore this northern Italian city, you’re running out of excuses. Milan Fashion Week kicks off September 20th and runs until the 27th.

Where to go

The Milan Fashion Centre (5 Via Gattamelata) should be your first stop. While it’s unlikely there are any catwalk tickets (or invitations for that matter) left, you can get at least a bit of the action by visiting the place where it all happens. During the week the city explodes in fashionistas, wannabes and fashion tourists in general. It’s prime people-watching and party season. The weather is still very pleasant in Milan at the end of September.

Head down to Via Della Spiga and grab a seat on an outdoor patio and watch the afternoon pass you by. The shop windows along this pedestrian street are also dressed up for the show, worth a look.

Shopping

Let’s be honest. Who would go to Milan during Fashion Week and NOT shop? Whether you actually buy or just dream, Milan is a city made for shopping. Head to Via Montenapoleone, Via della Spiga and Via Manzoni for the best of what the city has to offer shopaholics.

How to get there

From London it’s easy. There are several low cost options flying to Milan’s airports. Milan has two major airports: Malpensa and Linate. Apart from those, Orio al Serio Airport is not too far away either and is served by Ryanair. If you’re going to go, book your cheap flights to Milan now!

Fly from London Luton for £46 (return, all taxes and fees included) to Milan Malpensa Airport with EasyJet for travel Sept. 20-27, 2011. The flight is direct, taking 2 hours.

Who said flying last-minute wasn’t cheap? Which Fashion Week would you most like to attend: London, Paris, New York or Milan?

Img: Luciano Consolini / Flickr cc.