milan loot no. 3: something balenciaga

When in Milan, you have to visit the 10 Corso Como Outlet which stocks designer fashion from previous seasons at discounted prices. The day I was there, the men’s section had a sale of fashion, accessories and shoes from Alexander McQueen, Burberry Prorsum, Pierre Hardy and Prada among others. However, I picked this one from Balenciaga.

It’s the silver high top trainers from Spring/Summer 2009. Made from pleated leather that is interesting to touch and gives a worn-in look, these shoes feature details such as silver eyelets, loops and plates. I’m not particularly a fan of high top trainers until I saw this one. The striking colorway gives this pair a luxurious appeal, while maintaining the simplicity in structure. They’re pretty comfortable to wear, too. Kanye West had been spotted wearing the black version of these.

I’ve never been this excited over a pair of shoes in a long time. LOL.

10 Corso Como Outlet, via Tazzoli, 3 Milan. Check out their website for a weekly program of sales.

milan loot no. 2: something valextra

Navigating on a tip-off from Yed/MARKthatDESIGN and a Timeout Milan guidebook with Maureen and her friend Cristina on my second night in the city, we searched for the Valextra Outlet on Via Cerva.

I knew what I wanted to get even before we set out on this mission. Browsing Valextra’s sleek website and surveying what I still don’t have, I decided that I’m buying the Valextra Travel Document/Passport Holder. In the signature Pergamena White color no less.

And there it was. I also bought the same in a light blue color, that reminds of retro Vespa scooters, for Knut. I noticed that mine had these two discreet X marks next to the lower Valextra logo print, while Knut’s had two asterisks. Must be production codes for items that go into the outlet bin. But I couldn’t find fault in the product. Specially when you follow the lines that create these angled patterns on the cream-colored grained leather. Or when the heady scent of 100% leather wafts in the air.

The interior boasts of three compartments for bills, an open pocket for tickets, six card slots and a removable passport holder.

Now I can travel knowing well that my travel documents, frequent flyer, health and insurance cards are all in one place. Last thing I want is having to rummage through my bag for loose papers at the check-in counter on the way to my next destination.

The style factor is in-check, thanks to Valextra’s handmade craftsmanship and silent stamp of Italian luxury and creativity. Next time I’m in Milan, I’d definitely be on the lookout for my next Valextra piece!

milan loot no. 1: something prada

On my first night in Milan, I headed straight to the Prada store at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II to check out the goods. There I saw the studded shoes and shirts from FW 09/10, and a whole lot of Prada nylon and leather goods and ready-to-wear. But I only had one mission on that visit, to track down the one item I’ve been obsessing about ever since I saw it on deluxeduck’s and myMANybags‘ blogs.

And lady luck was on my side. I’ve finally gotten my Edward Robot key charm! The use of nuts, bolts, plugs and screws to create this cute little Prada creature is pretty ingenious.

He had bigger, meaner brothers but Edward is the most handsome of all. He has a polished resin head and a body made of the famed Saffiano leather brandishing the trademark Prada-stamped inverted triangle logo.

Woohoo! And he does the robot dance!

postcards from milan

Approaching Milan, the majestic Alps appears outside my window.

I first saw the Duomo and its iconic spires at dusk. The intricacies of the facade was a sight to behold. The night quickly fell over the city, and the Duomo turned gold.

From one house of worship to another, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II next door is a church for worldly desires.

My second day in Milan started with a stroll along Via Montenapoleone. The most revered street on the city’s “Golden Square”, the brands housed here can blind you – from Prada, Gucci and Louis Vuitton, to Ferragamo, Valentino and Versace.

Off Via Montenapoleone on a street named Via Santo Spirito lies the Balenciaga store. The interior is amazing and going through the racks of clothes and displays of its famous leather goods is an experience on its own.

On the same street we found this beautiful iron-gated building, such a perfect backdrop for a photograph. Shot a la The Sartorialist by my friend Maureen.

Opposite is the Palazzo Bagatti Valsecchi with its gorgeous heavy doors. It now houses one of the finest museum homes in Europe.

These Fiat Planters along Via Montenapoleone are awesome. These are fiber glass versions of the Fiat 500 C model. A “green” car? Definitely.

The Armani flagship store on Via Manzoni is a multi-concept store that covers an entire block and offers the requisite Armani clothing along with chocolates, food, books, and homeware and furnishings.

Hungry past lunch-time, we headed to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II where I saw in brilliant detail its beautiful arcades and glass dome. We settled for the restaurant across the Gucci Cafe. I had asparagus risotto with scallops.

The obligatory Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II shot.

In front of the Prada store. I got myself a souvenir from here. The paper bag carries the Fratteli Prada (Prada Brothers) label.

And the Louis Vuitton store. Surprisingly, I did not enter here. A mistake?

Amazing details on the interior facade.

Stepping out of the Galleria, we viewed the world famous La Scala from this patch of autumn leaves.

Maureen and I decided to go back to the Duomo, where I was to take the lift to the rooftop.

8 euros and a short lift ride after, I was treated to views of the city from above.

The Gothic cathedral took 500 years to build and is often described as one of the greatest churches in the world.

The cathedral is adorned with over 3,400 statues.

And 135 spires.

Everywhere you look is simply breathtaking.

The view of Piazza del Duomo and the Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II.

The best time of the day to go up the roof is towards dusk, as the setting sun romances both spires and spectators.

I visited the Corso Como outlet on Via Tazzoli on my third day. Tucked within a discreet building, last-season goods from the world’s most exclusive men’s and women’s fashion brands are sold here. This day they had discounts on Balenciaga, Burberry Prorsum, Pierre Hardy and Prada, in addition to the already reduced rates on men’s fashion, accessories and shoes. I got something here, too. The nearby 10 Corso Como store, on the other hand, is a class on its own complete with a bookstore and a cafe.

For dinner, we headed to the Navigli District that is famous for its canals.

I had the rich Osso Bucco meal at Officina 12, a great looking place that serves classic and regional dishes. There is also a bar that looks happening.

Porta Ticinese with ionic columns and bearing the words Dedic. Anno. 1815.

To end this trip, a gelato was in order. We headed to Grom where I had the creamiest and smoothest Pistachio ice cream I’ve had in my life. Ever. It was so good.

Milan is as beautiful after dark as it is in daytime. And on my last night, the moon was peeking from behind the clouds. Casting its light to this wide-eyed wanderer. Buona notte Milano.

in transit: ciao milano!

After a tough and extremely cold day shooting by the sea, it’s so nice to know that by tomorrow noon I’m already in Milan, where the temperature is warmer. I’m staying with my friend Maureen until Monday. It’s amazing to be in a new city and have a local tour you around. This should be fun!

Feels like this trip has already started. I won something Italian at an auction tonight, something I’ve been drooling over since it appeared in the runways of Milan. Le sigh.

Have a great weekend everyone!

pick your prada

And speaking of made-to-measure, it’s exciting news that Prada has started offering the service of bespoke shirts to its male clientele in Prada stores in Milan, London, New York and California. You are the master of your own shirt when you choose from three different shapes – classic, semi-fitted and slim fit with darts, six types of collars and five cuff variations (including one for cufflinks). You can also select from a range of fabric and color combinations and gain access to the archive of prints from way back 2001. As if that were not enough, you can get your initials embroidered for that truly personal touch.

Tailoring takes about four weeks and prices from £240 to £990.

thank god for acne

After my successful hunt for a new leather jacket yesterday, I went jeans hunting today. And boy it wasn’t an easy one. Actually, I have been looking for that perfect new pair of dark denim jeans for weeks now. That’s why I miss Viktor Jeans in the Philippines with its made-to-measure jeans and your own choice of fabric, thread color, pocket styles and other fix-ins.

I was about to give up and head home when I stumbled upon a store called Sole Service. I didn’t know they have a selection of Cheap Monday jeans (now you know). I spotted a pair from Acne Jeans and quickly tried it on. It’s made of tough dark denim with over tinted raw wash and contrast stitching, which I like and narrow legs that have enough space for my thunder calves. It’s also the perfect length so I don’t need to have it cut short (and we know how silly your jeans will look without the original hem, or rather expensive to re-affix the hem).

You can always count on this Swedish label for a no non-sense pair of jeans. Although I heard through the grapevine that a Norwegian brand is slowly challenging the competition. (Even Wallpaper* says so!) And they’re called Anti-Sweden. How fun!

disturbia part quatre

The limited edition Louis Vuitton Miroir Sac Plat.

Joining the elusive/exclusive line of  Miroir Almas, Speedys, Papillons, Pochettes and Keepalls, the equally iconic Sac Plat gets a washover in metallic silver and gold. How does this new incarnation make you feel? I know it gives me the bum bum be-dum bum bum be-dum bum.

postcards from delos

It’s been almost three months since I was in Greece and the sacred island of Delos, just off Mykonos. The trip to Delos was a journey back in time, to a place that the world seemed to have forgotten. It is fertile with stories to tell of the glory of the Greeks amid the arid, abandoned expanse of the island. The birthplace of the gods, here, no one can be born and no one can die.

Delos, if you would be willing to be the abode of my son Phoebus Apollo and make him a rich temple –; for no other will touch you, as you will find: and I think you will never be rich in oxen and sheep, nor bear vintage nor yet produce plants abundantly. But if you have the temple of far-shooting Apollo, all men will bring you hecatombs and gather here, and incessant savour of rich sacrifice will always arise, and you will feed those who dwell in you from the hand of strangers; for truly your own soil is not rich. – Homeric Hymn to Delian Apollo.

missed a button, sir?

Optic Blazer, €276

You know those outfit mishap situations when you miss a button on your shirt and you walk around town with your shirt’s front misaligned until someone points it at you? Well, this to me looks like the inspiration/interpretation for this edgy blazer from Swedish brand Odeur. I love the assymetrical front, while the center-vented back seems like it’s the perfect length.

Now it’s time you fool them back. With a fashion dot.