Yes, you read that right. It is Milan Fashion Week 2018, and my roommate, and I decided to go. We wanted to see all of the street style during the weekend, and perhaps get a glimpse of a show. Little did we know that we would end up smack in the middle of Donatella Versace’s fall/winter collection fashion show in the Royal Palace of Milan.
We arrived this morning by train, and checked into our hotel early so that we could attempt to go shop and find outfits that looked much more expensive than our wallets actually allowed. After hurriedly rushing to and from Zara and H&M, we got ready for the night. Maddy’s outfit is mostly pieces from Zara, and my black pantsuit is from H&M. I’m all about dressing for less and this was a great addition!
Although the venue was not listed on the official Milan Fashion Week website, we did some digging and were able to find out that it would take place at the Royal Palace, or Palazzo Reale. We took a taxi there with no expectations, simply having fun getting dressed up and wanting to see what would happen. After approaching the main entrance, where we asked the security guard if we could go in without invites, shocker- he said no. So we lingered for a bit with about ten other people who seemed to have the same agenda, but decided the best move would be to wander a little bit.
We walked for a while (by the way, it was raining and in the thirties!) in what felt like a sad attempt to find the back entrance. We had just decided to give up, when a random security guard left his door to approach us. This was the one part of the night that we are still not able to figure out. He asked us if we were looking for the Versace show, to which we sadly said no, we did not have invites. Although we kept saying no, he insisted it was ‘no problem’ and pointed us to a small lit up door. Having no idea if this was even the right building, we went where he said. We took the elevator up, having literally no idea where we were going, and walked out into a bathroom kind of area. That was when we saw signs on the door that said Palazzo Reale. What?!
After venturing into the bathroom and seeing models with pins in their hair who were clearly getting ready, we gathered our nerves and followed them into an unknown room. We were asked by one guard if we had tickets, to which we said no, but he pointed us to another door. Once we walked in, we were shocked. Kaia Gerber was sitting on the floor amongst the other Versace models. We were IN the backstage dressing room with probably about ten other people.
We desperately tried not to look out of place, but felt that it was so obvious we were the only people who did not belong. After staying in there for a few minutes, and even witnessing them making video montages that we tried not to get in, we decided to walk towards ‘the light’. The dressing room led us straight to the runway, where we very inconspicuously walked out… ha. The venue was stunning. Did I mention Anna Wintour was sitting in the front row?
We had about forty minutes before the show was supposed to start, so we made it our mission to not get caught before then. We made a few friends who were our age, two girls dressed in super blingy outfits that were not exactly subtle. After exchanging a few words and pictures, a security guy came up to us asking for our surnames and asking if we were on the list. Maddy and I literally ducked out, and hid in a group of forty somethings, hoping badly that we could make it until the show started. We watched the two girls get escorted out, and were terrified that it would happen to us as well. We continued to stay out of the guards’ eye as long as we could, and then the lights dimmed. We did it. Unfortunately I can’t add my videos to this, so I’m putting a few terrible quality screenshots in here.
Our standing spot among probably less than 20 people (my estimate is 150 sitting) was right next to the head honcho of light/sound, and so we heard him say ‘go’ and then the music and the lights came up. Kaia Gerber, Gigi Hadid, and other rising models made appearances in amazing pieces from the collection. I am absolutely in love with the collection, and Kaia Gerber (in the photos above) is my new favorite model! She is only 16 years old, and killing the game. My favorite outfit from the collection was the one she wore in those pictures. Donatella came out at the end for about .5 seconds, but it was so cool just to be able to see her.
I also got to meet Nicola Peltz, one of my favorite actresses, after the show which was so exciting. She is just as beautiful in person, and was very down to earth which is refreshing! We walked out at the same time as her, which was hilarious, because paparazzi were everywhere and Maddy and I felt like celebrities. Keep an eye out for me in the tabloids.
We were exhausted after this 4 hour adventure (if you didn’t know, the shows only last about 10-15 minutes!!) so we needed to eat. Someone recommended we go to Gino’s for pizza, which was like two minutes away from the Duomo. I definitely give this place a 10/10, they gave us free champagne when we sat down! I think they thought we came from the Versace show, and technically weren’t wrong… The crust and cheese were so perfect and I would definitely suggest going here to visitors.
Hope you enjoyed reading about this insane night that I had!
Xoxo,
G
