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
Wunderkind RTW Fall 2017
Wolfgang Joop mixed safari, tartans, men's suitings and punk references for his sometimes casual, often…
Brunello Cucinelli RTW Fall 2017
Brunello Cucinelli brought his women's wear line to the next level with a rich and versatile fall collection…
Ones to Watch: Bally, Alanui and Casadei
These three brands are worth checking out during Milan Fashion Week.
WWD Recommends
Things To Do During New York, London, Milan Fashion Weeks
When the show-going becomes simply too much to handle, never fear, fashionistas: Each city is ripe with a…
Italy’s Fashion Industry Expected to Continue Grow in 2017
Italian fashion's revenues of the first semester of 2017 are expected to be up 0.8 percent compared to last…
Angel Chen,Vivetta Ponti Win Mercedes-Benz Talent Contest
Angel Chen will show her new collection in Milan in February, while Vivetta Ponti will bring her women's wear…
Franca Sozzani’s Memorial Date Set
The memorial will be held at Milan's Duomo Cathedral on Feb. 27.
Fabio Covizzi On Running Security at the Milan Shows
Covizzi, who is also a nightlife entrepreneur and an artist in addition to an impeccable dresser drawn to…
Jeremy Scott Meets Fans During Milan Fashion Week
Fashionistas and Millennials crowded the event held in honor of the American designer at So-Milano concept…
Cédric Charlier Men’s Fall 2017
Balancing the casual, the classic and the sportif, the knockout collection was built on geometric…
Fashion Calendar 2017: Fashion Week Dates, Industry Events and More
See here for dates of international fashion weeks, industry events and more important dates.
Vicenzaoro September Rescheduled to Coincide With Milan Fashion Week
The Vicenza-based jewelry trade show will take place Sept. 23 to 27.
The Distinct Design Ethos of Dimore Studio
The Milan-based firm has created spaces for Dsquared2, Fendi, Boglioli and other high-end fashion brands.
Designer Dianora Salviati Weaving Her Way Through History
Designer Dianora Salviati's caftans might be new, but they have a long lineage behind them.
Italian Mills Adjust to Accommodate Ath-leisure
Italian mills are adjusting their offers to accommodate casual and ath-leisure fashion for fall 2017 and…