MICHELA PROIETTI

The pure milanese who speaks umbrian

She affirms to have ‘innate small-town mentality,’ but she is so Milanese to have awarded the prestigious Ambrogino d’Oro last December, which she worthily celebrated at the première of La Scala Theatre. Indeed, Michela Proietti was born in Perugia, but she is ‘Milanese’ par excellence, since this is also the title that made her famous as a writer as well as a journalist of the Corriere della Sera.

Her life in the city has begun at the historical newspaper.

After studying in Perugia, I attended the journalism school of Rai and my destination would be Rome, but the first time I landed in Milan, I immediately understood that this was my place. I nagged the director of the school and got an internship at the Corriere.

It was in summer 2003: baking hot.

I arrived in August, and I was happy for everything, hot weather too. I was travelling by subway at night, and I felt part of the metropolis, I breathed the energy of a capital. The first ‘monument’ I discovered was the Corriere della Sera: I spent hours looking at the photos of the illustrious directors, and in the Albertini room, an absolute privilege…

And is it still so?

Even more. I learned to appreciate everything about this city and its many neighbourhoods like small microcosms. Full of boutiques and research shops: like Wait And See where I learned that the blazer is not just blue, Orangorilla where the clutches are embroidered with Milanese sayings, and I also love Milaura in Corso Garibaldi for its research.

And the famous fashion district?

There you can breathe an international atmosphere, even for food, as at the Salumaio or Sant Ambroeus, with the new outdoor veranda where you can dine with a super menu. And I am happy that the Baretto reopened in via della Spiga. After covid, however, I also appreciate the dinners at home, if I want something special, I order the famous cutlet ‘elephant ear’ by Faravelli or take a delicacy by the Nuovo Principe.

Favoured locations?

From the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, the roundabout of Besana, passing through Santa Maria delle Grazie to the house of the Atellani and Villa Necchi Campiglio, where I presented my book for the first time.