Milan is abuzz with anticipation as fashion week makes its return to the city in physical form. After two seasons of digital events, the fashion industry is eager to showcase the upcoming women’s ready-to-wear collections for Spring/Summer 2022 in person. With a packed schedule of 173 events, including runway shows, presentations, and special projects, Milan is ready to welcome fashion enthusiasts from all corners of the globe.
This season’s fashion week will be spread across various locations in the city, spanning from the historic center to the suburbs. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, fashion brands have had to find new, more spacious venues on the outskirts of Milan. This necessity has opened up opportunities to explore previously untapped locations, bringing a fresh perspective to the fashion week experience.
Major fashion houses have carefully selected unique venues to host their shows. Jil Sander, which was recently acquired by OTB, will present its collection in an exclusive location situated in a new neighborhood on the eastern edge of Milan. Etro and Missoni will also be showcasing their collections in unconventional spaces, while Sunnei promises an “extreme experience” in the southern part of the city. Other brands have chosen iconic Milanese locations, such as MSGM opting for a new park and Francesca Libertore selecting a historic cinema.
Milan Fashion Week kicks off on September 21 with a series of events, including conferences centered around sustainable fashion and the presentation of the collaboration between Benetton and rapper Ghali. The following days will showcase a marathon of runway shows featuring renowned brands like Fendi, N°21, Jil Sander, and Roberto Cavalli. Esteemed Italian brands like Max Mara, Armani, Prada, Tod’s, Marni, and Dolce & Gabbana will participate with physical shows, while some brands will showcase their collections online through videos.
Among the notable comebacks to the Milanese calendar are Moncler, Prada, Versace, and Boss. Moncler will transform its Genius project into “Mondogenius,” presenting a hybrid live and digital event. Prada, on the other hand, will hold a double runway show simultaneously in Milan and Shanghai. Versace and Boss are returning to the physical runway after taking a break from fashion week. This season will also feature new names like African designers Joy Meribe, Maison Alvine Demanou, and Lagos Space Programme.
In addition to the runway shows, Milan Fashion Week will be complemented by a range of parallel events, including performances, store openings, and parties. The city will come alive with its usual vibrance and celebration, honoring milestones like the 20th anniversary of Pomellato’s Nudo collection and the 40th anniversary of Emporio Armani.
While a few brands have chosen not to participate in this season’s fashion week, there are still plenty of exciting events to look forward to in Milan. The return to physical shows signifies a renewed sense of energy and optimism in the fashion industry, as Milan reclaims its position as the center of the fashion world.
Useful links:
1. Milan Fashion Week Official Website
2. Vogue’s coverage of Milan Fashion Week
