The Sartorialist’s New Book 'Milano' Features Italian Style with a Foreword by Giorgio Armani

No volume captures Scott Schumans recent years better than Milano, the sixth publication by the renowned street-style photographer, released by Taschen with a foreword by Giorgio Armani. Since moving to Milan in 2022, Schuman has been frequently spotted at the intersection of Corso Venezia and Via Senato, camera in hand, capturing spontaneous street moments including the cover image of the new book, featuring a woman cycling through the city.

Ahead of his book signing at Armani/Libri, the fashion brands bookstore on Via Manzoni, Schuman spoke with WWD over coffee at Sant Ambroeus about creating the 248-page volume, which celebrates two decades of his visual exploration of Milanese and Italian style.

The Journey to Milan

Schuman recalled that when he began photographing for The Sartorialist, he was drawn to Italian textile salesmen in New York, which sparked a lifelong fascination with Italy. Before 2005, he had visited Milan only once during college on a study trip organized by his German fashion design professor, leaving him intrigued but not fully understanding the citys allure. His first professional assignment in Milan for U.S. publications changed everything.

Milan is smaller than other fashion capitals, which makes its stylish population dense, Schuman explained. Everyone is connected to fashion or design in some way. Theres a Hollywood-like quality, but for style.

A Unique Milanese Style

Schumans photography focuses on real people, and Milans streets provide the perfect canvas. Milanese are very conscious of their appearance, he said. Style is respected across generations from elegant older men to women in their 80s who still dress with intention.

Unlike America, which emphasizes youth, or Paris, which prioritizes sex appeal, Milan offers a more inclusive approach to fashion. Locals mix limited wardrobes creatively, maintaining both elegance and eccentricity without pretension.

Consistency and Local Flavor

Schuman noted that Milan still maintains a distinct look, evolving subtly over time. The top 10 percent dress in a very Milanese way, proud to reflect Italian style, he said. Milano showcases a wide range of subjects from Miuccia Prada and the Sozzani sisters to local fencers, a butler, and a hotel chef alongside architectural highlights such as Naviglio Grande, Via Brera, and Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

The book often pairs color-focused imagery, like red leaves or a rusty-red skirt, with black-and-white photographs, capturing the citys vibrancy. Recent shoots include subjects in motion on bicycles and mopeds, highlighting interaction between people and clothing while subtly emphasizing Milan as a sustainable, walkable city.

Armanis Influence

Schuman credits his inspiration to Giorgio Armani, who contributes the books foreword. He was a hero for me in fashion, Schuman said, praising Armanis work ethic and commitment. A photograph opposite the foreword shows the designer on Via Manzoni in 2010, reflecting the real-life style of Milanese residents.

Schuman hopes his view of the city resonates with locals. Milan is not perfect, but beautiful. Everyone chooses to participate in its style culture, whether they work in the home or own it. Armanis introduction echoes this sentiment: Scotts gaze captures details others may overlook, seeing Milan as it truly is.

About the Book

Milano by Scott Schuman is published by Taschen and highlights the citys unique fashion sensibility, its people, and its architecture. The books visual narrative combines color, motion, and timeless style, offering readers an immersive experience of Milanese life.

Reflections on Schuman’s Milano: A Journey Through Milan's Style

Scott Schuman’s latest book, Milano, offers a compelling visual exploration of the Italian city that has captivated his lens for years. Since moving to Milan in 2022, Schuman has immersed himself in the city’s street life, capturing spontaneous moments that reveal the essence of Milanese style. Through his photography, Schuman paints a vivid picture of a city where fashion and everyday life intersect in a way that feels both organic and deeply ingrained in its culture.

The book, published by Taschen, is not just a collection of street-style portraits but a tribute to Milan's unique fashion sensibility, its people, and its architecture. What sets it apart is Schuman’s focus on real individuals, not models, and his ability to capture the city’s soul through their interactions with clothing. Milan's charm, as Schuman suggests, lies in the effortless blend of elegance and eccentricity—qualities that are showcased in his photographs.

Schuman’s work is further enriched by a foreword from Giorgio Armani, whose influence on the city’s fashion culture is undeniable. In many ways, Schuman’s lens captures the spirit that Armani himself has helped shape. From the tailored precision of Milan’s upper echelons to the more casual elegance found in its everyday citizens, the book offers a multifaceted view of a city that remains both timeless and ever-evolving.

As Schuman notes, Milan is a city where style is not just about appearances but a reflection of its people’s lives and values. The book's visual narrative, blending color, motion, and timeless style, is a testament to Schuman’s deep understanding of the city. It’s a celebration of Milan’s vibrancy, but also its subtlety—a city that, while not perfect, remains undeniably beautiful and rich in character.

Sources:

• The Sartorialist’s Latest Book ‘Milano’ Is a Guide to Italian Style Prefaced by Giorgio Armani