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
FRS RTW Fall 2017
Francesca Ruffini got inspired by the atmosphere of Russian 19th century's novels for her elegant fall…
Fendi RTW Fall 2017
Glamour doesn't have to arch. Karl Lagerfeld's fall 2017 collection for Fendi proves the point.
Vivetta RTW Fall 2017
A Forties' circus inspired this collection, which was infused with whimsical, surreal touches.
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Genny RTW Fall 2017
Sara Cavazza drew inspiration from the Eighties for her collection, which featured stirrup pants, shoulder…
Luisa Beccaria RTW Fall 2017
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Max Mara RTW Fall 2017
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Annakiki RTW Fall 2017
Yang's aliens were more of the "Blade Runner" variety — an elegant bevy of ladies with a penchant for silvery…
Gucci RTW Fall 2017
Alessandro Michele likened himself to an alchemist, mixing far-flung ingredients into a heady concoction.
Alberta Ferretti RTW Fall 2017
The designer took a trip to Venice, mining the city's romantic landscapes and rich history for a display…
Fausto Puglisi RTW Fall 2017
Fausto Puglisi explored the new world side of old world Rome and Naples.
Francesco Scognamiglio RTW Fall 2017
The Neapolitan designer got inspired by butterflies for his hyper-feminine, sensual collection.
No. 21 RTW Fall 2017
Alessandro Dell'Acqua fused Americana with throwback Italian glamour.
Fay RTW Fall 2017
There was a punk flavor to this collection by Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi, who believe women want to…