Champagne, Couture, and Cahier: Shopping Milan's Prada Flagship

Everyone has a brand. Some have a personal brand, some a shopping brand. This is the brand they lean towards when they have time to pop into a shop, the brands they save for when making a big purchase. Some have a brand for jewelry, a brand for bags, a brand for clothes. Some have a starter brand, like a gateway to an addiction. Some have all of the above. 

My starter brand, and to this day one of my favourites brands, is Prada. From the history to the evolving changes each year on the runway, there is something in Prada that appeals to me as someone who has loved fashion from a young age. From my first pair of designer sunglasses to my favourite shopping experience, it’s been Prada. Even one of my favourite cafés, albeit pricey, was the Prada café in London’s famous Harrods. It’s polished treats and interior motif letting the brand's identity truly shine even outside of the context of fashion.  

The true reason I believe Prada to remain at the center of my fashion-loving heart, though, is my shopping experience at their flagship shop in Milan, Italy. The store, located in  Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, opened its doors in 1913 as a leather goods shop. Since then, it has held onto much of its charm, from its trademark checkered floors, to warming mahogany shelves and fixtures, you can feel the ghosts of fashion and history within the walls surrounding you. Walking through the door truly teleports you back to a time of true innovation.  

Upon entering, I was quickly greeted by the most amazing sales associate I’ve ever had the pleasure of shopping with, from Hermès in Monaco to Dior in Los Angeles. I deeply wish I could find her name, but through all of my emails and purchases, I can’t seem to find her card or information again. After our initial introductions, she brought me downstairs where they kept their runway collections and many of their purses. As we walked around, I was offered a glass of champagne and a bottle of water.

I went in hoping to find a purse. Something versatile, but unique. Stylish, but sensible. I told her about my bag collection at the time, as well as my regular style, to find something that might fill a gap I had in my accessories. After going over these hopes, my associate brought me over to a few options. I was seriously considering a large saffiano leather Prada Galleria bag to use for work. It would fit my laptop, and even a book when I was off-hours. It was chic, simple, and matched my style.

Ultimately, we decided I should go for something slightly more unique though, as getting to shop at this location was so special to me. My sales associate offered me an espresso and another glass of champagne, led me to look through the most recent runway collection and offered to let me try on any pieces I saw while she gathered a few options.

I was certainly tempted by a few items, but clothing wasn’t my goal this trip, and I assumed any piece I’d try would immediately be charged to my card and wrapped up for the flight home. To this day, a pair of Prada Mary Janes remains very high on my wish list.

When my associate came back out, she presented me with a few options, and the third bag she showed me was the one. From its design to its symbolism, the Prada Cahier was perfect for me. With soft brown leather and polished gold hardware, it was exactly what my purse collection was missing. The size held exactly what I needed for my day-to-day, and simply put, it was fabulous.

On top of it all, I got the Prada Cahier at the end of my first true solo trip, which took me from Madrid to Barcelona to Paris and finally to Milan. It was a trip that taught me so much about myself and truly changed how I experience the world; a trip that solidified my love for travel. The meaning behind the Prada Cahier beautifully tied up this trip for me in the most perfect little bow. The French word, Cahier, translates to ‘notebook.’ With special compartments to keep secrets like a diary, other folds to hold only small pieces I might pick up on my journey like a postcard or a receipt, this bag perfectly encapsulated my whole journey and who I felt I was.

Maybe this is too ‘deep’, but the whole holiday was genuinely so meaningful to me in its own special ways, I keep talking about it on this blog.

As my sales associate let me try on a few more purses for fun and look around the top level one more time, she wrapped up my purse in a box and bow and came back to me with a beautifully embossed shopping bag, outlining that it was from the flagship store. With bad weather impending, she also helped me get a taxi back to my hotel for the night.

I look back and cannot get over the exceptional service I received during my time shopping at this Prada. I truly have never been made to feel so special as a client, and it will make me loyal to the brand for quite some time. It’s something I brag about to my friends, and now here I am bragging about it to you.

And now, every time I put my Prada Cahier on to accessorize, I not only feel fabulous, but I also feel proud of who I have become because of the journey that led me to purchase this bag.

Oh, and in case you’re curious, the sales associate and her champagne might have also convinced me to get a new wallet and scarf to enjoy as memories.

What To Wear While Shopping in Milan:

Loafers for Walking Around Italy Versatile Sweater to Fit Any Look Skirt to Elevate Your Chic Autumn and Winter Outfit in Milan

Tights to Wear all Winter Long The Perfect Coat for Traveling Europe

Elevate these looks with an hermes Twilly headband, a pair of Prada loafers, or, of course, a Prada Cahier bag.