Bringing “Emily in Paris” to Milan: A fashion experience with Marylin Fitoussi

Milan Central Station buzzed with its usual energy, but as Sakis and I stood waiting, one figure made an unmistakable entrance: Marylin Fitoussi, the brilliant costume designer behind “Emily in Paris”, her signature turban set her apart from the crowd. We embraced like old friends, though our friendship is a few years old. Thus began two inspiring days filled in Milan, brimming inspiration and fashion.

The highlight of Marylin’s visit to Milan was an exclusive event organized by Sakis Lalas and me - a live talk centered on her work with “Emily in Paris”. In an elegant hall of the Hilton Milan hotel, the costume designer shared her insights with an intimate audience of designers, stylists, and journalists.

Moderated by me and Sakis Lalas, the talk gave Marylin a platform to discuss how she has crafted some of the show’s most iconic looks, making “Emily in Paris” not just a hit show but also a fashion phenomenon. Her insights were as vibrant as her designs, offering a behind-the-scenes look into the fashion-forward world of Emily, Camille, Sylvie and Mindy. Each outfit choice, she explained, is a calculated decision aimed at enhancing a character's narrative, a glimpse into the costume designer's deeply creative process.

After the talk, five talented fashion designers presented their latest collections, hoping to impress Marylin and secure a place in the upcoming seasons of “Emily in Paris” (some of them actually made it). She was particularly taken with a stunning red dress by Denise Eleftheriou: that evening, as we dined in one of Milan’s finest restaurants, Marylin couldn’t stop raving about the dress. "That dress is a dream!" she kept repeating.

This memorable event, supported by Hilton Milano, offered a unique glimpse into the transformative power of costume design and its significant impact on fashion. Sakis and I spent two unforgettable days with Marylin and, as we said our goodbyes at the same bustling station where it all began, we knew that Milan had been left a little more colorful in her wake.