In short
- Milan's modeling agencies are concentrated in the Tortona district near Porta Genova, in the De Angeli–Monte Rosa and Washington neighbourhoods in the west, and in the historic centre.
- The working rhythm follows the calendar of the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (CNMI): men's fashion weeks in January and June, women's in late February to early March and in September.
- A Lithuanian model usually arrives through their mother agency, and the Milan agency normally advances the apartment, test shoots and travel and deducts them from later fees.
- A public transport ticket costs €2.20 (90 minutes) and a monthly city pass €39.
This page covers only what is specific to Milan. Contracts, tax, rules for minors and visas are covered in the Italy guide, Modeling agencies in Italy.
Where agencies are located in Milan
Our catalogue lists 21 agencies in Milan, spread over a few districts. Six are in the west, in the De Angeli–Monte Rosa and Washington neighbourhoods, close to stations on the red M1 metro line. Four are in the Tortona district by Porta Genova station (green line M2), with one more in neighbouring San Cristoforo. Seven are in the historic centre (Municipio 1): near Castello Sforzesco, in the Magenta and Guastalla neighbourhoods, and on Via Amedei, where three agencies share one building. Two agencies share an address in the south, in the Tibaldi neighbourhood, and one is in the east near Corso XXII Marzo, in the same building as the ASSEM agency association.
The districts are close to each other, so you can visit several agencies and clients in a day. Agencies by board are listed on the women, men, new faces and talent pages.
The fashion week calendar
The official Milan calendar is set by the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (CNMI). There are four fashion weeks a year: two for men (Milano Moda Uomo) and two for women (Milano Moda Donna).
| Week | Month | Next dates |
|---|---|---|
| Menswear (autumn–winter collections) | January | 15–19 January 2027 |
| Womenswear (autumn–winter) | late February–early March | 23 February – 1 March 2027 |
| Menswear (spring–summer) | June | 18–22 June 2027 |
| Womenswear (spring–summer) | September | 21–27 September 2027 |
The last women's week ran from 22 to 28 September 2026 and the last men's from 19 to 23 June 2026. In January Florence also hosts the Pitti Uomo menswear fair (next on 12–15 January 2027), which ends on the day Milan men's week begins, so mid-January is the busiest time for men. Dates for all the fashion capitals are in our fashion calendar.
Castings, go-sees and showrooms
A new face usually arrives a few days before fashion week, when castings start. Each evening the agency sends the next day's list of addresses and times, and the model spends the day travelling between fashion houses and casting directors' studios. Once a model is confirmed, there is a fitting: AGCM describes fittings both before a show and before a showroom job.
During and before fashion weeks Milan has many sales showrooms that need showroom models, who wear the collection for buyers over several days in a row. Between seasons there are go-sees with photographers, magazines and brands instead of castings, and most of the work is e-commerce, catalogue, lookbook and advertising shoots. Editorials for magazines pay little but give you pictures for your book. How to prepare is covered in our guide on how to prepare for a casting.
How a Lithuanian model gets to Milan
The usual route is through a mother agency in Lithuania. It sends Milan agencies your digitals, measurements and an intro video. If a Milan agency is interested, it offers you a season or a few weeks in the city, and your mother agency helps you weigh the terms and dates. In the first days the Milan agency often arranges test shoots so your book has local pictures; their cost should be known in advance.
The apartment, costs and transport
New faces are usually given a place in a model apartment, often sharing a room with another model. AGCM describes how travel, accommodation, transfers and insurance may be paid by the client, and if the agency pays them, they are later deducted from the model's earnings. The same applies to pocket money: it is an advance, so keep track of how much has been spent. We found no reliable public figures for model apartment prices in Milan, so ask for the weekly or monthly price in writing.
ATM tickets
The metro, trams and buses are run by ATM. Under the January 2026 fares:
- a single ticket is €2.20, valid for 90 minutes from first validation, with changes allowed;
- a day ticket is €7.60, a three-day ticket €15.50 and a carnet of 10 rides €19.50;
- a monthly city pass is €39, or €22 if you are under 27; it is loaded onto a digital card in the ATM app or a physical card (€10);
- a weekly pass for the whole Mi1–Mi3 zone (Milan and 21 neighbouring towns) is €18.50.
You do not have to buy a ticket: you can tap a bank card or phone at metro turnstiles and on board. Mi1–Mi3 tickets are also valid to Rho Fieramilano metro station, where trade fairs are held.
What to expect in your first season
- Most of your time will go on castings and go-sees. A few weeks without bookings is normal.
- The first season often ends with a negative balance: the apartment, test shoots and travel come to more than your fees. Before you travel, ask how it is repaid if your contract ends.
- Check every deduction on your model statement.
- The most valuable result is pictures for your book, your first shows or showroom jobs and clients who already know you next season.