­There are many occasions when a celebrity wants their dress to be absolutely perfect, like the Oscars, the Emmys and at a movie premiere. But when it comes to choosing a wedding dress, this is the dress that eclipses any other. Most celebrities are lucky enough to have designers clamouring to make their wedding dresses (even if it is something they normally don’t do).

Outlet shopping in Milan has taken on near mythic proportions. Rumors abound about little hole in the wall shops selling cashmere sweaters direct from the Loro Piana factory, or secret shipments of Ferragamo shoes for sale in the back of an office – without a doorbell, of course. The reality of outlet shopping in Milan is that it does require a great deal of patience and perseverance, as many of the best outlets are indeed located behind gates or hidden away in basements. But with a little digging – or a superb map, or better yet, a driver - you can find Prada, Gucci and Armani at drastically reduced prices. Here is our list of the best outlet shopping in Milan.

10 Corso Como Outlet
If you’re a fan of Colette in Paris or Maxfields in LA, you’ll love 10 Corso Como. This concept department store was founded by former Vogue Italia editor Carla Sozzani but if you don’t want to splash out, the outlet is a good bet. It is tucked into a courtyard off a non-descript side street, so it is easy to miss. Inside, there are rails of Prada, Azzedine Alaia, and Junya Watanabe for 30-50% off retail prices. The rails are organised by price (say, €300 and up). It’s also a good place to pick up little gifts, like beautifully packaged sticks of incense.

10 Corso Como Outlet
Via Tazzoli 3
20154 Milan
Phone: +39 02 900 2674

Compiled by The International House and Karen Catchpole (note that ** selections are recommendations by iTravel iShop writer Karen Catchpole)

Shopping

Pied Nu

You’ll find a little bit of everything at this lovely boutique, from homewares, jewelry and clothing as well as beauty products. Designers carried include Cathy Waterman, Emma Hope, Les Chemin and Schumacher.

I have both good news and bad news about shopping in Helsinki. Here’s the good news: a new generation of designers are creating some of the most stylish and innovative housewares, furniture, and textiles in Europe. Whether designing a chair or a dress, hip, young Finnish designers remain focused on timeless style, clean lines, and high-quality materials.