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
Diesel Black Gold RTW Spring 2017
Andreas Melbostad kept this outing short and sweet, with a lineup of tiered minidresses in broderie anglaise…
Fashion Community Rallies Around Gigi Hadid After Attack at Milan Fashion Week
Fashion influencers speak out on social media against the attack on Hadid outside the Max Mara show.
Prada RTW Spring 2017
In her breathtaking spring collection, Miuccia Prada de-blahed the classics with all the power of her potent…
WWD Recommends
Daizy Shely RTW Spring 2017
Mirrored sequins, eyelet, watercolors, python skin and ruffles were combined in this collections, which…
Moschino RTW Spring 2017
Welcome to Jeremy Scott's spring doll house, an ode to paper dolls and Valley of the Dolls.
Anteprima RTW Spring 2017
Izumi Ogino channeled the rebellious spirit of Fifties-era London Teddy Girls.
Fabiana Filippi RTW Spring 2017
Bright colors gave a twist to the collection's minimal designs infused with a discreet elegance.
Fendi RTW Spring 2017
The spring muse at Fendi was Marie Antoinette in her carefree country days, before those un-fun…
Giorgio Armani Spotlights Athletics in New Exhibition
Giorgio Armani's fascination with sports, the commitment it entails and its value system, are channeled into…
Italian Designers Emphasize Customer Engagement
As Milan fashion gets ready for its big stage, designers and executives emphasize that the way to battle…
Milan Scene: Restaurants, Bars, Exhibits and More
Fun things to do and see, and places to eat and drink on the go and around the shows during Milan Fashion…
Gucci RTW Spring 2017
Alessandro Michele's clothes remain manifestations of rich imagination and craft, yet the awe and element of…
Italia Independent, Adidas Originals Launch Eyewear Limited Edition Capsule
Available in only 500 pieces, the collection includes two pair of sunglasses infused with an Eighties feel.
Italy’s Prime Minister Demands ‘Respect’ for Fashion Industry
Matteo Renzi again opened Milan Fashion Week with a luncheon.
Blugirl RTW Spring 2017
Anna Molinari found her sweet spot between Latin American folk and citified street.