- BY ISSIMO
- September 12, 2024
Once you experience the energy and atmosphere of Milan Fashion Week for yourself, you understand what all the fuss is about. Each September, the city captivates the world’s attention as designers and fashion houses present their latest collections to the world at Milan Women’s Fashion Week.
Over recent years, Milan’s runways have given us a lot to talk about. And we’re still talking! They have not only shaped global fashion trends, but have also served as cultural and creative spectacles reflecting shifts in design, technology, and social influences. From glorious tributes to Italian craftsmanship, to emotional designer homages and theatrical feats that still give us goosebumps, we recount five ‘ChicISSIMO’ moments from Milan Fashion Week that have certainly made an impression on us.
Versace’s Supermodel Reunion (Spring/Summer 2018)
An emotional homage to the house’s late founder and design legend Gianni Versace, this show was a blockbuster celebration of Versace’s storied legacy and a deeply personal tribute by his sister and current Creative Director, Donatella Versace.
Speaking of iconic, we weren’t quite expecting to see ‘90s supermodels Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, Carla Bruni, and Helena Christensen reunite on the runway to close the show in shimmering gold chainmail gowns, strutting to the sound of George Michael’s hit song “Freedom! Just like us, anyone who grew up watching these women dominate the catwalk couldn’t help but be swept up in a moment of nostalgia, power, and pure glamour!
Fendi’s tribute to Karl Lagerfeld (Fall/Winter 2019)
With bows, monograms and crisp shirt collars, this Fendi collection was the first following the death of Creative Director Karl Lagerfeld 2019. The show celebrated his five-decade legacy at the helm of Fendi, and the collection was an ode to his genius in crafting beauty.
Silvia Venturini Fendi, who had worked with Lagerfeld for decades, paid homage by revisiting some of his favourite sartorial elements including sleek tailoring and opulent embellishments. Models walked the runway in structured coats and blazers with the iconic FF monogram, fur coats reimagined in vibrant hues, and silk blouses with Lagerfeld’s signature silhouette. We couldn’t possibly choose a favourite look if we tried! The collection’s finale featured a delicate white gown adorned with flowers, a nod to the designer’s poetic expressions of femininity.
Dolce&Gabbana’s ‘Sicilian Jungle’ extravaganza (Spring/Summer 2020)
We’ll never forget when Dolce&Gabbana brought the Sicilian jungle to the heart of Milan, transporting us to an exotic paradise in their Spring/Summer 2020 show. A celebration of Sicily’s natural beauty through a tropical lens, a towering backdrop of lush greenery set the mood as models emerged wearing vibrant, safari-inspired looks and prints infused with the brand’s signature ‘maximalist’ approach to glamour.
Rich in detail and craftsmanship, garments featured lush silks, raffia textures, and luxurious embroidery. Animal prints were layered with oversized gold jewellery, while dresses in vibrant greens, oranges, and yellows turned heads. This collection inspired us to have fun with layering bold colours, prints and accessories, and the show made the world fall in love with the natural beauty of Bella Sicilia!
Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons’ collection debut (Prada Spring 2021 Ready-to-Wear)
Marking the highly-anticipated debut of Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons’ creative partnership, this collection set a bold new direction for the iconic Milanese fashion house. A focus on craftsmanship and sharp silhouettes were the focus in garments that blended Prada’s approach to conceptual innovation with Simons’ avant-garde signature.
Sharp tailoring, refined silhouettes, and subtle graphic prints reflected both designers’ approach to a ‘minimalist’ aesthetic with a hint of rebellion. Typical to the Prada ‘wardrobe,’ accessories played a big part in the collection, including oversized bags and platform shoes bearing the house’s logo. We loved this collection for its timeless allure that stayed true to the essence of Prada, while a touch of the unexpected from Simons outlined an exciting future direction for the house.
Gucci’s ‘Twinsburg’ show (Spring/Summer 2023)
Double Gucci? Yes, please! A jaw-dropping spectacle that earned its place in Milan Fashion Week history, Gucci transformed the runway into a celebration of identity and connection under the visionary direction of former Creative Director Alessandro Michele. 68 pairs of identical twins were sent striding down two mirrored catwalks, reconnecting hand-in-hand for the show’s powerful finale.
Inspired by the concept of ‘double vision’ the collection fused Gucci’s heritage with modern design accents. The iconic GG monogram print was intertwined with decadent silk dresses, oversized blazers, and studded leather jackets, showcasing the tension between classic and contemporary. The ‘Twinsburg’ show makes our list because it not only celebrates personal, social and cultural connection, but also demonstrates Gucci’s enduring role as a pioneer in challenging social and cultural conventions in the fashion world and far beyond.
Sharp tailoring, refined silhouettes, and subtle graphic prints reflected both designers’ approach to a ‘minimalist’ aesthetic with a hint of rebellion. Typical to the Prada ‘wardrobe,’ accessories played a big part in the collection, including oversized bags and platform shoes bearing the house’s logo. We loved this collection for its timeless allure that stayed true to the essence of Prada, while a touch of the unexpected from Simons outlined an exciting future direction for the house.
Rich in detail and craftsmanship, garments featured lush silks, raffia textures, and luxurious embroidery. Animal prints were layered with oversized gold jewellery, while dresses in vibrant greens, oranges, and yellows turned heads. This collection inspired us to have fun with layering bold colours, prints and accessories, and the show made the world fall in love with the natural beauty of Bella Sicilia!
