ÉGALITÉ | MILANO

Where would Emily look for Paris in Milano? We bet sit at one of the Égalité outdoor yellow tables, while biting a fragrant freshly baked pain au chocolat. 

Égalité is a French boulangerie, located in the heart of Porta Venezia district since spring 2018. A trop bon universe of baguettes, croissants and viennoiserie of all kinds you can eat with your eyes as soon as you step through its doors. For a 100% French-flavored breakfast, light lunch or aperitif far from the Seine.

WHAT: Égalité, a boulangerie and bistrot right in the heart of Milano.

WHERE: Via Melzo 22, Milano

WHY: The ideal place where to taste the classic french pastries without having to be right in the French capital, the interiors are clean yet cozy and welcoming, a bonus goes to the patriotic wall paper, the baguesttes are to die for.

PANTONE 2021 COLOR(S) OF THE YEAR

For SS21, Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons have presented an on-point Ultimate Gray + Illuminating look 

Ultimate Gray + Illuminating. Pantone has revealed the two independent colors of the year 2021: a chromatic combination of optimism and stability, which aims to spread a message of hope.

On one hand, a full, solid and industrial gray. On the other, a bright and vibrant yellow. Heavy and light that meet, to face the year ahead with firm feet on the clouds — as cautious dreamers.

“Concrete and solid, warm and optimistic, this color combination gives us a sense of resilience,” explains the Pantone’s Executive Director Leatrice Eiseman.

From left to right: Oversized Blazer With Wide Leg Tailored Pants Magda Butrym, Bare Leather Sandals The Row, Cutout Turtleneck Midi Dress Monse, Sunset Puffer Nocta from the Nike x Drake collab, The Twist Mini Bag Bottega Veneta, Jasmine Dress Stine Goya, Hustka Hood Ienki Ienki.

A pair of shades, the one forecasted by the American global authority for colors communication, that easily adapts to fashion, from activewear (don’t mind the more orangey tone, raise their hand whoever would resist the Nocta puffer aka the stylistic result of the Nike x Drake co-lab) to the more rigorous prêt-à-porter, like Magda Butrym’s fitted wool suit. Without forgetting accessories: to light up the stormiest weather and mood, choose the yellow padded hood by Ienki Ienki. You won’t regret it.

LIGHTS ON: NENSI DOJAKA

Scrolling through the dedicated emerging brands and designers LIGHTS ON section, it is crystal clear by now how we at PLACESOFOURS are fascinated by mysterious, asymmetric and sensual pieces of clothing — as much as sailors are by Sirens’ songs. 

Graduated at Central Saint Martins, Nensi Dojaka founded her eponymous brand just three years ago, choosing the luxury retailer Ssense as her starting stockist.

A style, that of the Albanian-born designer, which refers to the 90s typical deconstruction element (from Demeulemeester to early McQueen) mixed with a total black minimalist approach. 

Her creations are confident and audacious, disassembled in the right place, perfect for women who are not afraid to dare. Fragile and bared at the same time, as the layers of different see-through sheer fabrics surrounding the body like a second skin.

In other words, as the new year is about to (finally) start, we like to think of Nensi Dojaka as the brand that will accompany us in all the endless nights and parties upstairs we were forced to pause in 2020.

MEN IN THE TOP FW20 JUMPERS TO WARM WINTER WITH

From left to right: Intarsia Waves Jumper AGR, Canyon sweatshirt Palm Angels, Cut-Out Intarsia Logo Jumper Stefan Cooke, Patterned Jumper Sacai, Slogan MSGM.

If men won’t go to the mountain then the mountain must come to men. In these extra-ordinary festivities it will do so in the form of some of the best Fall 2020 Norwegian-inspired wool jumpers: a breath of fresh air that lands straight into your winter wardrobe among kaleidoscopic patterns, technicolor prints and fluid drawings. From the most classic (Sacai) and chalet-themed (Palm Angels) models to the more genderless and contemporary FW20 knitted jumpers, such as the navy sweater with floral logo and cut-out on sleeves and shoulders by the British brand Stefan Cooke.

(NO) HOLIDAY FITS

From left to right: Rio Stirrup Leggings Leset, Oversized Intarsia Cardigan Gucci, Proust 105 Pumps Aquazzura, Beth Dress Khaite, Naima Crystal Suede Sandals Amina Muaddi.

Being too clear by now that Christmas will be a mere indoor toast between the kitchen, the dining room and the sofa, we will still have to wear something. No pajamas and joggers after breakfast as we used to, our so-called “(no) holiday fits” are made of comfy yet chic garments, mainly made of knitwear, stretch fabrics and relaxed silhouettes to embrace the homely spirit without forgetting femininity. To give a fire touch, in fact, only glittery pumps and mules, as a bright comet moving towards style.

THE DECEMBER WARDROBE: COATS AND HATS

Coats and hats. To combine, twist and reinvent to always create new and never dull winter outfits. From our December wardrobe we took out two classics, a long fitted tobacco coat and a timeless vintage-inspired shearling jacket: traditional cold-proof pieces that are capable of dressing up the simplest #ootd combination of jeans and knit. A snow-white canvas to be completed with an equally indispensable winter accessory — the hat. From beanies in popping shades to faux fur bucket hats that make the city a tundra within (fashion) reach.

From left to right: Double-Breasted Coat Nanushka, Faux Shearling Jacket Stella McCartney, Bottani Ribbed Sweater The Row, Cotton Jersey Bodysuit Re/Done, Philip Boots By Far, Bolton Sneaker Reebok x Victoria Beckham, Faux Fur Bucket Hat Monki, Candice Beanie Weekday, London Straight-Leg Jeans SLVRLAKE, Kerrie Straight-Leg Jeans Khaite.

BOTTEGA VENETA SPRING 2021 RUNWAY

Analog meets digital in Bottega Veneta’s Salon 01 London Show, the SS21 co-ed collection the brand has presented through a suggestive video last Monday. Creative director Daniel Lee has indeed transported his models in a virtual cube, dyed with the distinctive shade of green the Maison has lastly chosen for its packaging, animated by few in-real-life masked guests.

A tribute to dance and Lee’s dearest friends, which translates into a collection entirely focused on the physical product. “It’s good to be safe but, you know, it’s really important to be bold”, says a voice over at the very beginning of the show, for an SS21 collection where boldness turns into fitted and heavy garments and knitwear becomes next spring’s intrusive protagonist. Not only rigidity though: for Daniel Lee fashion beyond Coronavirus will have to be sexier, clingier and glittering too, but elegantly loose enough to enjoy a new era of lightness and fun.

SKINCARE ROUTINE MUST-HAVE OF WINTER 2020

From left to right: Face Roller Nannette de Gaspé, Hydrating Face Tonic Bobbi Brown, Elixir Vitae Eye Serum Tata Harper, Face Mask Le Labo, Midnight Recovery Concentrate Kiehls, Perfect Facial Hydrating Cream Aesop, Aqua-Infused Makeup Removing Water Nars, Great Day Natural Soap Neom Organics, Vitamin C Drops The Ordinary, Cell Rejuvenating Power Serum Victoria Beckham, Refreshing Scrub Cleanser Origins, Banana Lip Balm Le Paradis.

It’s hard work, but someone’s got to do it. Punctual as a Swiss clock, right before bed or first thing in the morning, time is marked by a full, regenerating skincare routine — at least for the less lazy girls. Not just a hasty face wash, but an actual and meticulous beauty ritual that includes micellar waters (Nars) and tonics (Bobbi Brown) to cleanse the skin, exfoliating scrubs (Origins), hydrating creams (Aesop), rejuvenating serums (Victoria Beckham), vitamin-rich oils (The Ordinary) and latest generation microneedling rollers (Nannette De Gaspé) to stimulate the powerful ingredients naturally produced by our body. After all, also beauty starts from the foundations.