_Italian word of the week: così è la vita – such is life_
Many travelers have this romanticized idea of “getting lost.” You have no cares in the world, so you can just pick a direction and start walking and get lost. That’s what you do when you study abroad.
Sometimes it’s intentional. A lot of times it isn’t. But somehow every time I find myself “getting lost” and trying to stumble on some local Milan culture, I just find myself shopping for clothes.
The more I think about it, coming home a few euros shorter might actually be the culture here. Fashion and the ‘Italian brand,’ so to speak, are what Milan is famous for. Or at least this theory is how I’m going to justify all my purchases and lack of museum visits to my parents when I get home. Fashion is part of the culture of Milan.
This week was one of the most important weeks for Milan’s culture: fashion week. Milan Fashion Week is one of the four main fashion weeks, the others being in London, New York and Paris. Since fashionistas from all over the world come to Milan for this, it wasn’t surprising that a lot of them spoke English. It was strange to understand a lot of strangers’ conversations on the metro, since normally I understand about 10 percent of what people around me are saying in their fast Italian conversations.
One English conversation I overheard on the metro was between two models: “The waiters were just staring at us like, ‘Why are they eating? They’re models.’ People are so ridiculous.”
Yeah I hear you, honey. Sometimes, when I eat cheeseburgers, people are shocked, too. Though, usually it’s because they are grossed out, not because I’m so skinny that they can’t believe it.
However, I shouldn’t be so bitter about models, considering I did essentially stalk some Fashion Week shows to get a glimpse at a few. Although I couldn’t tell you if I saw anyone famous, because honestly I’m usually more preoccupied by the clothes they wear than the fame of the model.
I got to the outside of the Fendi show just as people started pouring out in their ridiculous outwear. People who I am sure weren’t even of relevance were getting their pictures taken solely for the fact they were dressed completely ridiculous for the weather. It was snowing.
The practical people, myself included, were wearing weather-appropriate gear such as coats and scarves whereas the “fashionable” people were wearing tights or an exotic fur sweater at most. This might make them more fashionable, but I’m going to sum it up by the fact that most of us in ugly winter coats have to walk and take the metro around town, whereas the ‘fashionable people’ are only outside for a brief moment as they run from a fashion show building to their private cars. I never thought I’d say it, but sometimes practicality beats fashion.
I did appreciate their lack of practical winter clothing, though, because it allowed me to see some exciting fashions since I couldn’t get into an actual show. My favorite piece was what could best be described as a pink yeti fur coat. Mostly because the girl wearing it was smiling instead of doing a straight “Italian face.” Another favorite fashion I saw was an umbrella with kittens wearing crowns. I’m sure many of you are excited to hear: cat-lady couture might be the next big thing!
I didn’t see anyone wearing blinders, but that’s honestly what I should have packed. That way I won’t get so distracted by all the stores and fashions next time I get lost. But since human blinders don’t exist, I suppose I will just have to succumb to the local Milanese culture of shopping or maybe practice a little more self-control … but those €35 vintage Valentino sunglasses were just too good to pass up. Così è la vita! Ciao for now!