Since the beginning of film and television, women have been defined by the clothing they wore. Marilyn Monroe did not become a sex icon by dressing conservatively. Similarly, Grace Kelley did not become a fashion icon by wearing everyday, ordinary clothing. Fashion enthusiasts celebrate Kelley for her beautiful wardrobe and natural elegance.

Some film stars became associated with a particular designer, such as Audrey Hepburn and Hubert de Givenchy (think Hepburn’s iconic little black dress in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”).

As the editors of all the big fashion magazines run from one show to the next, savoring their invitations to the best shows in town, we less-than-fortunate commoners get to sit back and let the trends, colors and excitement of another season in fashion come and go. With New York and London fashion weeks over, Milan and Paris remain to show us what we must wear next spring. Remember, fashion designers always show the next season in their shows, so we have all winter to be preparing for the spring.

This is quite important as the Milwaukee fashion season is soon approaching. When rubbing elbows with the important Milwaukee social set, it is important to show that although you may not have the budget for the top names, you sure as heck know the styles through and through.

In previous weeks I described the styles and trends of the season, so I figured with the ushering in of cool weather, it might be worthwhile to highlight stores and boutiques in the area where all your winter essentials are located.

1. Funky winter coat

Fashion is never stagnant. It is difficult to keep up with current trends, as they change from season to season. Just as soon as designers present their spring/summer collections, they have to think about how to be new and revolutionary for the next fall/winter season.

As an employee of a local boutique, I hear on a nearly daily basis from women over 30, “I remember wearing this when I was (insert age here).”

For a long time, the world touted France as the fashion capital, everywhere else barely secondary. Over the past 50 or so years, this has changed, with nationality and location becoming less important. As indication of this power shift, one of the greatest (or possibly the greatest) American fashion legends turns 40.

Ralph Lauren started his company in 1967 as a tie maker, and has seen it grow to a $4.3 billion empire. Women alone can shop from nine different lines ranging from the very high end (Collection) to the department store label (Lauren Ralph Lauren). And that is just for women. The options are endless, ranging from children’s clothing, men’s wear, home and more.

My lifelong dream of becoming a model finally came true, at least for a day. Well, sort of.

My diminutive height of 5 ft. 4 in., has kept me from this dream for years, but when Tom Miller, owner of the fabulous Beauty and Cutting Group salons, asked me to do a photo shoot to help him prepare for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s Symphony Style, I knew my time had come.

This past weekend, a longtime friend and I met up in Los Angeles for a weekend of carefree fun and fancy. The weather cooperated, as did the shopping. New York and Paris are certainly chic, but there is something about that California sunshine that makes a tissue T and casual, tousled hair seem like the only option.

Perhaps it is that same California sunshine that has inspired a plethora of emerging fashion companies, each with their own spin on casual chic.

Stephanie Horne’s first annual fashion show on Nov. 29, benefiting the American Heart Association, turned out beautifully, especially for such a small production and as it was their first show. Cocktails started pouring at 7, and were noticeably strong (probably so tipsy shoppers would spend more!).

For those who have never visited Stephanie Horne, one of Milwaukee’s newest boutiques, you can expect many basic colors and clothing which reflect a California laid-back attitude.

For an independent student of fashion, coming to Milan to work as an intern for a designer and take a semester of classes in fashion merchandising is like a dream come true. Milan is widely known as one of the fashion capitals of the world, along with Paris and New York. Despite the similar titles, the styles could not be more different in atmosphere, or more interesting.

Paris is much more influenced by America, and many more Parisians speak English to cater to tourists and business people alike. On the other hand, in Milan there is very much an elitist feeling which clouds the fashion industry, evident through the noticeable lack of English-speaking people.

Now that the sales campaign is wrapping up, the event which draws in buyers from around the world to view and select for purchase articles from the pre-collection, the path is now clear for the frenzy of preparing for fashion week at the end of February to begin. For anyone who thinks the fashion industry is a well-organized and well-oiled machine, you are only half right. Instead, the industry manages to keep a glossy finish on what is actually well-organized chaos.

The company I work for, Maurizio Pecoraro, has just begun the process of designing the collection, which is to be presented in less than one month. While designing a collection may take only a matter of weeks, all of the sketches must be realized into splendid works of art for the fashion press to review and critique. There is a lot of work to be done.

Discovering the ins and outs of a new city is always exciting, especially in one with such a fast-paced environment as Milan. As with any major city, there are niches for every sort of person from the art, fashion and literary-types. Depending on which café you step into, the conversation, and especially the attire, may vary drastically.

One of the places to be at the moment is Armani Prive. In Milan, the boutique is almost as important as the merchandise, and as such, Armani has certainly cornered the market. There is a virtual Armani department store ready to cater to any of your needs. Flowers? Candy? Food? Books? Bar? Dancing? The Armani boutique is a one-stop shop.

Typically I try to be humble about my current situation, because I know I am very fortunate to be having the experience I am, studying in Milan and interning for a renowned designer; but with Fashion Week coming to a close, I feel I must brag a little.

After working countless 12 hour days, the Maurizio Pecoraro fashion show went off with out a hitch, and has been receiving wonderful reviews (and I got to borrow thousands of dollars of Pecoraro to swathe myself in, even a mink coat). The editor-in-chief of American Elle magazine even stopped by the show room to check out the accessories which accompanied the beautiful pieces of the Fall/Winter 2009 collection.

I often wonder the extent of our great Milwaukee’s reach, and since being in Milan, I have become more in tune with how famous (or not) our wonderful little town is. The first hurtle when meeting people is having them recognize the name Milwaukee. If I feel they have actually heard the name, and are not merely smiling as if in recognition, it is usually accompanied by a thumbs-up and an “aaay,” as in the Fonz.

Yes, it’s true—Milwaukee has an international recognition due in part to Fonzie and “Happy Days.” I have never really been affected by the fact that Happy Days supposedly took place in Milwaukee, but since traveling to Italy, I have been constantly reminded of that fact.

For the moment there is calm. The whirlwind storm between the pre-collection, pre-collection sales campaign and preparation for the show itself has given way to the tranquility of the main collection sales campaign.

The designers are relishing leaving the show room while the sun is still up, having weekends free and working pretty regular hours. For me, it means coming in to work later and getting to leave earlier.