The Beauty of Small Milanese Craftsmanship
The Beauty of Small Milanese Craftsmanship
Milan is famous the world over for its fashion houses and design studios. But beneath the surface of this global creative capital lies a quieter, equally important story — that of the small workshops, independent artisans and family-run businesses that have kept the city's hands busy for generations.
The Artisan Neighborhoods
The best places to encounter Milanese craftsmanship are the neighborhoods that haven't been entirely given over to retail. Navigli, with its canal-side workshops and independent ateliers, remains one of the most authentic parts of the city. Isola, north of Garibaldi station, is home to a new generation of makers working in ceramics, textiles and leather goods.
Where to Find It
The Via Stendhal area in Tortona hosts several artisan studios that open to the public during events like Fuorisalone every April. The 5Vie district near the Duomo is another hub, with a dedicated art and craft fair each year. For handmade shoes, accessories and leather goods, the small shops lining Corso di Porta Ticinese are worth an afternoon.
Le Orsine and the Artisan Tradition
Le Orsine's Friulane are themselves a product of this artisan tradition — a shoe with roots in the workshops of Friuli, handcrafted by the same families that have been making them for decades. When you buy a pair, you're buying into a lineage. Read about our collaboration with Pupi Solari, another Milanese institution that has kept its craft alive for over half a century.