English fashion designer Matthew Williamson shares his fashion trends for spring/summer and shopping insights. The trailblazing designer is one of the international ambassadors featured in the Chic Guide to Europe 2012.  Photo credit: Chic Outlet Shopping.

Have a passion for Europe, fashion + shopping? Then you’ll likely love the Chic Guide to Europe 2012 by Chic Outlet Shopping.

The campaign with Condé Nast publications consists of short films featuring famous international names on location at the Chic Outlet Shopping Villages.

This international guide stars ambassadors representing Brazil, Germany, USA, UK, China and Russia. These celebrity ambassadors include:

• Matthew Williamson (above) (Vanity Fair UK, Condé Nast Traveller UK);
• Olivia Palermo (Vanity Fair USA);
• Karolína Kurková (Vogue Russia);
• Beatrix Ong (Vogue China);
• Helena Christensen (Vogue Germany) and
• Déborah Bloch and Júlia Bloch Anquier (Vogue Brazil).

In select, international Condé Nast magazine titles, there will be feature interviews with the international ambassadors who will share their top fashion trends for spring/summer and insights about the nine Chic Outlet Shopping Villages.

Says Jason Bell, head of international, Condé Nast Publishing:

“Our readers wherever they are, have a similar appetite for luxury and fashion, which means this project continues to resonate across all markets.”

The multi-lingual ambassadors introduce the Village films in Chinese (Beatrix Ong), Russian (Karolína Kurková), Brazilian Portuguese (Déborah Bloch and Júlia Bloch Anquier) and German (Helena Christensen).

The Chic Guide to Europe 2012 is available at ChicOutletShopping.com with subtitles in 14 languages (English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Flemish, Russian, Chinese, Portuguese, Korean, Turkish, Japanese, Catalan and Arabic).

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, Milan. Photo credit: Italian State Tourist Board.

Milan and high fashion really do go hand-in-hand.

Along with other international design powerhouses like London, New York and Paris, Milan hosts two week-long events each year dedicated to showcasing the latest fashion trends.

Even if you’re not in Milan during either of its fashion weeks, you still have plenty of opportunity to splash some cash on cutting-edge designs when you visit Milan.

Dozens of top quality shops and boutiques are to be found all over the city and if you’re a budding fashionista, you’ll be keen to visit as many of these as you can.

Where are Milan’s best boutiques and stores? Here are shopping tips on Finding Milan’s Top Boutiques:

Via della Spiga

It sounds pretty obvious, but you’ll discover that most of the city’s top boutiques are to be found in the fashion quarter. Via della Spiga marks the entrance to this bustling district and you’ll be amazed with the wealth of luxury Italian and international brands that are to be found here.

Branches of Moschino, Giorgio Armani and Dolce & Gabbana can all be browsed as you make your way down this tranquil thoroughfare. With so many great places to visit, you may be glad you booked a hire car from Milan Airport to store your new purchases, instead of trying to squeeze on to a crammed train with your bags.

Via Montenapoleone

From Via della Spiga you should make your way to Via Montenapoleone, which lies at the heart of Milan’s fashion district and contains boutiques by leading brands such as Roberto Cavalli.

However, it’s not just high-end clothing you can purchase, but also luxury watches and fine jewelry. In fact, everything needed to update your entire look can be found on the street. If you’re lucky to be here during one of the many fashion shows, you’re likely to catch a glimpse of models from all over the world walking along Via Montenapoleone as they browse the stores.

Corso Venezia

Corso Venezia is one of the city’s main shopping thoroughfares and while all manner of stores can be found here, it’s worth making a beeline for the most exclusive fashion and jewelry boutiques.

Visit Milan-based jeweler Pomellato and you’ll be able to pick up a vast array of beautiful gold trinkets. In the mid-1990s, the company launched its DoDo range – which consists of intricate charms shaped like birds and flowers – with a portion of the profits made from these donated to animal welfare charities. Buying one of these during a break in Milan is a great way to stay stylish and do some good at the same time!

If you’re always on the lookout for a new outfit, it’s a good idea to visit the L’Altramoda branch on Corso Venezia. Although this brand is popular across the Mediterranean, it’s yet to really expand beyond the region. Buy a few pieces from here and you can be sure of having glamorous gear that you won’t see anyone else wearing when you get back home.

Scotch Whisky. Photo credit: Scotch Whisky Experience.

Love Scotch whisky?  If you’re traveling to Scotland, you’ll want to head to Edinburgh’s The Scotch Whisky Experience.

Recently, this whisky shop has been redesigned to be more interactive so customers can learn about Scotch whiskies and their different flavors.

The Scotch Whisky Experience features a touch-screen distillery guide and flavor map which has been created with the Scotch Whisky Research Institute.

In the shop, Blended Scotch Whiskies have a gallery and a blending display and the Single Malt Whiskies are arranged by region.

Brand designers Moriarti have created an interactive kiosk which offers more Scotland distillery information in 20 languages including Arabic, Korean, Chinese, Russian and Brazilian.

Designed by Bright 3D, the shop’s new interior has a glass gallery with countertops made from reclaimed whisky cask ends, oak flooring and a slate feature walls.

In the VIP area, guests can relax and view the premium Scotch Whisky collection on a specially designed iPad application.  A personal shopper is available for all customers. With the pick and mix choice, they can created personalized selection packs of Scotch Whisky miniatures for gifts or souvenirs.

The Scotch Whisky Experience

354 Castlehill

Royal Mile

Edinburgh, Scotland

Website: www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk