February has been filled with experience after experience. First let’s start with classes. Classes in Milan are very different, just as I expected.  But I had no idea I was going to have the chance to have so many hands-on activities and projects. Since January, I have been on 7 class trips, some including the Mipel Handbag Show, Manolo Blahnik Museum, and the Fashion Hub Market. Class trips have not only enhanced my learning, but given me a whole new interest for my future career. When it comes to school work, many would say it’s easy, but it’s only easy because it is what I love to do. After every class trip we have to write a report for the following class period, which is great because then I am able to remember the exhibit and not wonder around aimlessly. I am currently working on a cool hunting project. This project is centered around the street style of Milan. Since I have started, I have been able to walk down the street and identify the latest trends and observe what will soon become fashionable. So far, I absolutely love my classes and appreciate that my head is no longer stuck in a text book, but now walking the streets of Milan.

The entrance of the Manolo Blahnik Museum. Hidden behind this entry lies 30 original designs and 214 pairs of shoes.

Now we move from Milan to Florence. Florence is not only filled with beautiful leather goods, but also housing three amazing museums: Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Roberto Capucci. We began our day at the Gucci Museum. As many of you know, Gucci is known for his green and red stripes, but after I entered the museum, I had a whole new appreciation. I got to see items ranging from luxury gowns, to everyday business suits, of course his signature handbags and shoes, and then explored his designs of board games and golf clubs. We then made our way to the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum. Ferragamo is a working genius when it comes to shoes. We not only got to see his final product, but the entire process, including seeing the molds from many celebrities such as Audrey Hepburn and Sofia Loren.

Thats a wrap! February, you have been nonetheless amazing to me and I thank you for all the amazing experiences you brought to the table, but now let’s see what March has to offer.

Our last stop was the Roberto Capucci Museum. Capucci had a very different way of creating clothing. He stepped out of the box and created abstract pieces, with vividly bright colors and ruffles that went on for days. Not only are my experiences in Milan, but now they have reached the destinations that I travel to.

Inside look of the Tom Ford room showcase that displays both men and women’s ready-to-wear looks. This room was created to remind people of the way in which Ford encouraged self-expression through developing a distinctive, sensual aesthetic for the House.

Milan Fashion Week takes the gold when wrapping up the month of February. The 22nd-27th have been filled with fashion shows, presentations, and crazy night life. The fashion shows are amazing for 3 reasons, one being the anticipation of getting into the show. Many of my professors told stories of how students would fib to enter shows and I thought this would never happen to me, until I “became a buyer from the United States who worked for an online company.” We successfully snuck our way into the Angel Chen show, and I couldn’t have been more excited.

Encouraging words and small touch up are made by Juan Caro minutes before he sends Beatrix down the runway.

The second reason is for the street style. The street style of Milan on a normal day is amazing, but once fashion week hit it was breathtaking. Street style was best seen at the larger fashion shows such as Gucci and Fendi, and since these shows were impossible to get into, it was still great to show up just to see the style and even run into a few celebrities. The last reason the fashion shows were amazing were the runway collections. The collections were for the upcoming fall and winter seasons, and were filled with a lot more color than I would have ever thought. Not only did I get to attend 5 fashion shows, but I also got to work backstage as a model dresser for the Leitmotiv show. This opportunity was filled with excitement, a little anxiety, and overall sense of joy. The night of February 25th was truly a dream come true, and it will forever be a story I tell for the rest of my life.

The street style of Milan has both personality and creativity. Create your own street style, and live your life fearless of what others may think of your outfit.

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Haylee is a SAI Milan spring 2017 student from Missouri State University.