Milan Fashion Week
Milan Fashion Week is one of the "Big Four" fashion weeks alongside New York, London and Paris Fashion Weeks. Spring collections are historically shown in September, while fall collections are historically shown in February. Milan falls as a the third major fashion week during Fashion Month, following New York and London, and before Paris. The main venue for Milan Fashion Week is the Milan Fashion Hub, though many designers show off-site.
In 1958, the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italia (National Chamber of Italian Fashion) was formed, with a mission to promote Italian design. Italian brands began to rise in prominence because they were more affordable than their Parisian counterparts.
At the time, many of Italy's major cities were in competition with each other for who would become Italy's fashion capital. Milan began to edge out some of its competitors, like Rome and Florence, thanks to strong links to manufacturing and the growth in ready-to-wear. In the '70s and '80s, the success of Milan-based designers, including Giorgio Armani and Gianni Versace, helped to solidify Milan's place as a fashion capital.
Versace, in particular, drew attention to Milan during fashion week, casting supermodels such as Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista and Cindy Crawford in his shows.
Today, many major brands show collections at Milan Fashion Week, including Gucci, Fendi, Bottega Veneta, Missoni, Ferragamo and Etro, as well as Giorgio Armani and Versace.
Historic moments at Milan Fashion Week have included Tom Ford's 1994 debut show for Gucci, which began a revival for the then-stagnant brand. There was also Miuccia Prada's 1996 show featuring dull greens, browns and purples, contributing to the ugly-chic era of '90s fashion. More recently, at Versace's spring 2018 runway show, Donatella Versace brought back the '90s with the era's supermodels, including Crawford, Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, Carla Bruni and Helena Christensen, who walked in the show.
Milan Fashion Week
Tommy Hilfiger Brings TommyNow Drive to Milan
The event will be centered on the Formula One racing world, inspired by Hilfiger's love for motorsports.
Prada RTW Fall 2018
In a compelling collection, Miuccia Prada showed inspiration in part from the newest addition to the…
Eggs Romeo Gigli Women’s Fall 2018
The collection was exquisite, and even more so by taking a closer look at the details that enriched each…
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Loro Piana RTW Fall 2018
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F.R.S. RTW Fall 2018
Francesca Stoppini Ruffini extended her offering to hyper-chic night gowns worked in opulent patterns.
Woolrich RTW Fall 2018
American outdoor dressing inspired the brand's collection of cozy, protective outerwear.
Vivetta RTW Fall 2018
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Attico RTW Fall 2018
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Fausto Puglisi RTW Fall 2018
The designer skipped the catwalk to present his elegant collection with an impactful installation.
Emilio Pucci RTW Fall 2018
Curlicue archive prints were splashed all over bags, knee-high boots, puffer scarves, quilted outerwear and…
Max Mara RTW Fall 2018
The collection was about giving women freedom to dress however they want, whether it's for comfort…
Genny RTW Fall 2018
Sara Cavazza Facchini has never been one to shy away from sparkle — and a slinky silhouette.
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Lucio Vanotti RTW Fall 2018
The coed lineup riffed on uniforms, whether workwear, sportswear and officewear.
Brunello Cucinelli RTW Fall 2018
Brunello Cucinelli delivered a luxurious wardrobe, where knitwear with a folk touch, revisited tailoring and…