How Milan Changed My Creative Eye

Some cities inspire you through what they show you. Milan inspired me by teaching me how to look.

Living here has changed the way I understand creativity. Having a creative eye is not only about being able to create something beautiful. It is about being curious enough to notice what is often overlooked, to understand why something feels the way it does, and to find meaning in the details of everyday life.

Inspiration is everywhere, but rarely in an obvious way. I find it walking through the streets, in the architecture, the way people dress, or simply in the way they interact. These are things I might once have passed by without giving them much thought, but now they often influence the way I think creatively.

There is something inspiring about seeing so much history continue to live within a city that is constantly evolving. It has shown me that creativity does not always mean creating something completely new. Sometimes it means looking at what already exists and finding a different way to understand or reinterpret it.

The city can also be chaotic. It is fast, crowded and always moving, but I have learned to appreciate the simplicity and find peace within the chaos. Creativity isn't only found in studios, exhibitions or fashion shows. Sometimes it is an old balcony, a conversation with a stranger, or a detail you notice on your walk home.

My journey with Adhlal was also an important part of learning to see myself within that creative world. It gave me the confidence to put myself out there, work with different people and explore where I wanted my career to go. I learnt that there is rarely one correct way to approach a creative idea, and that different perspectives can completely change the way you see something.

Living here alone, initially without knowing the language, also taught me independence and resilience. Being in an unfamiliar environment pushed me to trust myself and become more comfortable with uncertainty. Milan has made me more curious, more open-minded, and more willing to explore different perspectives. I am less afraid of experimenting, changing direction without worrying whether it is right or wrong, and exploring ideas without knowing exactly where they will lead.

A creative eye is never really finished. It continues to evolve through the places we live, the people we meet and the experiences we collect along the way. Every new environment brings something different, sometimes in ways we only recognise later. Milan is one part of that ongoing process — one that has made room for more curiosity, openness and discovery. And as everything continues to change, so does the way we create, think and find inspiration.

Yara Hassoubah continued her Fashion Marketing studies in Milan after a year of Industry orientation at Adhlal.