Insider guide to the most fashionable place on Earth

Topped up the credit card?

Got a handful of Euros for gelato and a slice?

That’s all you need for a tour of the fashion center of the fashion capital of the world.

And our handy guide.

Milan’s “fashion quadrangle” is one of the world’s top shopping districts, sparkling with glossy boutiques, squeaking with luxury designer brands.

Brands scream for attention, often with outrageous displays or perplexing marketing campaigns.

“You must be stupid,” Renzo Rosso, the billionaire founder of Diesel jeans, tells CNN, referring to the need to take risks to succeed.

MORE: The fashion model’s guide to Milan

He “invented” ripped denim at the age of 15, he says. “I still don’t know why but I did something stupid: the cloth was stiff so I started rubbing the jeans on the cement of my barnyard. My jeans had a great success.”

The five-star Armani Hotel (Via Manzoni 31; +39 02 8883 8888; rooms from €500 ($685)) has a rooftop spa featuring a pool with a glass ceiling overlooking the city.

Signature suites are bigger than 200 square meters and come with a personal trainer.

In front of the spa there’s Bamboo Bar (Via Marcona 6,+39 08 8395 0201) one of Milan’s coolest lounge bars. Its barman makes extravagant cocktails (from €10 ($14)), such as Blue Cheese Daiquiri using real cheese.

Close to Bamboo you’ll find the hotel restaurant. Its menu features Sicilian langoustine tartare with green apple, passion fruit and raspberry jelly (from €20 ($28)).

Other hotel picks include four-star Hotel Manzoni (Via Santo Spirito 20; +39 02 7600 5700; from €290 ($397)).

Il Salumaio di Montenapoleone (Via Santo Spirito 10; +39 02 7600 1123; from €15 ($20.50)) serves amberjack carpaccio with a “Tiziano” cocktail made of Champagne and raspberries.

MORE: Happy when it pours: The umbrella man of Milan

Silvia Marchetti is a freelance journalist and writer based in Italy.

CNN