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
Milan Fashion Week: Designers to Watch
Six labels staking a claim during Milan Fashion Week.
Blugirl RTW Fall 2016
Anna Molinari's Blugirl collection featured modest, ladylike pieces presented in puzzling layers.
Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini Spring Looks Take Center Stage at Milan’s La Rinascente Windows
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Stefano Pilati to Style the Sansovino 6 Collection
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MSGM to Ban Social Media at Show
Massimo Giorgetti will ask press and buyers to not post images from his shows schedule on Feb. 28 in Milan.
Ujoh to Show at Armani Theater
The Japanese brand will show its women's collection on Feb. 27.
Andrea Incontri Men’s RTW Fall 2016
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Paul & Shark Men’s RTW Fall 2016
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Les Benjamins Men’s RTW Fall 2016
Naming his collection "Ottoman Punk," Bunyamin Aydin wanted to focus on the convergence of East and West.
Sunnei Men’s RTW Fall 2016
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Lucio Vanotti to Show at Armani Theater
The Milan-based designer, who founded his namesake label in 2012, will hold his first runway show on Jan. 16.
Cividini Relaunches Men’s Line
The first collection will be unveiled in January at the upcoming Milan Men's Fashion Week.
Fast Facts From Fashion Weeks in New York, London, Milan and Paris
Fast facts, quick stats and economic impacts from fashion weeks in New York, London, Milan and Paris.