The day has finally come. The trip is finished. After months and months of planning and prepping and getting excited and it’s over in a heartbeat.
Our last day in Milan was a great one, I definitely feel like I am ending this experience on a high note.
In the morning we headed to our last media visit at Hearst Italia and let me tell you—my Devil Wears Prada dreams were coming true all over the place.
We spoke with Eleonora De Franceschi, international advertising account, Giulia Giacomuzzo, advertising sales assistant, Lisa Mancini, fashion editor of Cosmopolitan, Fabiola Ballarini, editor of ELLE, and Antonio Mancinelli, senior editor of Marie Claire.
It was phenomenal. My sixth-grade dreams of working as a beauty editor at Teen Vogue were at the forefront of my mind as we toured their offices, met a huge number of dedicated, creative people, and got to see how these major magazines really come to life.
I need to start reading magazines again.
Although the fashion industry has changed a lot in the last 10-15 years, especially in the United States, it seems like Italy has a bit of catching up to do when it comes to portraying healthy body image. The phrase “naturally thin healthy girls was used a little too much for my liking. I know models are supposed to be gorgeous, but I think it’s time we realized that there’s more than one body that fits that standard.
We also got to meet the editor in chief, Francesca Delogu, and she was so lovely and spent a lot of time chatting with us about her work. She also referred to her 5-inch heels as her “sneakers,” so yeah, fashion.
After our awesome visit at Heart Italia, we had the afternoon free to make the most of Milan. Carrie, Emily, and I had a nice lunch and then proceeded to shop around the area. I surprisingly found pants that fit me at Brandy Melville (it’s a one size fits all joint) and got a couple last minute souvenirs.
There are a lot of big name brands like Gucci and Prada in Milan but there’s a lot of other cool places too. Plus, there’s a KFC with excellent free WiFi. Fun fact, the first Starbucks to open in Italy will be in Milan and will feature a museum of coffee as well. So if that doesn’t give you a feel for the place I don’t know what to tell you.
Our last night in Italy was lovely. Our entire group had dinner together at a local restaurant and it was the best meal I’d had yet. Red wine (which I never thought I’d like so much,) a full meat plate as an appetizer, amazing ravioli that melted in my mouth, steak and potatoes (I’ve eaten a lot of rare meat on this trip and haven’t gotten sick amazingly,) cake and champagne.
It was a fantastic meal and sharing it with these people which I have been fortunate to take on this adventure with was a perfect finale.
Italy was simultaneously everything and nothing I expected. I could never have imagined all the things I’ve seen and experienced on this trip. Helen and the rest of the wonderful people who planned this trip have given us memories that will last a lifetime. I’m so grateful to them for that.
Grazie to everyone who followed along with these ramblings, I have so much more to say so stay tuned for some reflections coming soon.
Ciao Italia.