Backstage Diaries: Milan Men’s Fashion Week with Wilhelmina’s Damien Neva

MILAN, June 22 — Hello again! 

The last time we spoke back in March, I was covering the prêt-à-porter shows in Paris. I have returned to Europe on this occasion in my capacity as the Director of Social Media at Wilhelmina to file dispatches about the Spring 2014 menswear shows. Already, I had to remind myself this was still the same breathless day as my Friday arrival. Since my early morning landing at Malpensa I have had the pleasure of interviewing James SmithEli Hall, and Isaac Ekblad. All three were in between castings and fittings on the eve of the shows and were gracious enough to speak with me for five minutes, sometimes even less.

Milan is crawling with boys. This season marks James Smith’s return and he is fit as ever. That six-pack of his ought to be a crowd pleaser this week. If Eli can survive his skateboard tomfoolery (above), then he will skate far this season. Isaac, thoughtful, erudite, clearly knows his fashion, but also can be counted on for discovering gastronomic delights not least of which include sorbetti. No matter how rushed, Alexander Ferrario simply cannot take a bad picture. The snapshot I managed on Via Tortona Friday afternoon (below) is no exception.

Saturday kicks off early with Corneiliani, so until then, ciao for now.


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