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
Pretty Spring Denim Hits the Streets of Milan
A burst of warm and sunny weather allowed Fashion Week goers in Milan to test out spring denim trends.
A. Teodoro RTW Fall 2019
The designer upturned uniforms infusing feminine touches.
International Fur Federation Toasts Winners of Remix Fur Contest
Netherlands-born designer Berivan Cemal scooped up the gold award.
Yoox and Vogue Italia Showcase Upcycled Sustainable Luxury During Milan Fashion Week
The second edition of The Next Green Talents showcases sustainability's potential to elevate high-end fashion…
Weekend Max Mara Unveils Fall 2019 Signature Collection
Called "Chaotic Elegance," it was inspired by artist Ritsue Mishima.
WWD and The Palmeraie Host Cocktail Event During Milan Fashion Week
Jil Sander's Luke and Lucie Meier, Marco de Vincenzo, Giuseppe Zanotti were among the guests in attendance.
Chiara Capitani Presents Latest Numero Otto Collection
The Italian Internet personality co-designed a 20-piece lineup of Eighties-inspired furs.
Missoni RTW Fall 2019
Clean and streamlined silhouettes steal the spotlight on the brand's fall catwalk.
Herno RTW Fall 2019
Herno introduced the Laminar Couture Engineering collection.
Laura Biagiotti RTW Fall 2019
Lavinia Biagiotti played with the logo trademarked by her mother in 1975 for a youthful, daily-wear…
GCDS RTW Fall 2019
Giuliano Calza housed his collection in a makeshift palazzo, sending pink-clad ladies-of-the-manor bouncing…
Stella Jean RTW Fall 2019
From Polynesia to the Flanders, the designers imagined an exotic Grand Tour.
Antonio Marras RTW Fall 2019
The designer imagined the exploits of the young Modigliani in Sardinia for an exquisite collection.
Bally RTW Fall 2019
"We own the mountains, and wanted to go back to our roots and show the uniqueness of Switzerland and the…
Roberto Cavalli RTW Fall 2019
With his fall collection, Paul Surridge succeeded in finding a balance between the brand's strong heritage…