Honoring Giorgio Armani
Milan Fashion Week 2025 opened with a heartfelt tribute to Giorgio Armani, whose passing marked the end of an era in Italian fashion. A special presentation at the Pinacoteca di Brera, originally planned to celebrate Armani’s 50 years in fashion, became a final homage to his unmatched legacy. Visitors can explore an exhibition featuring 150 of his most iconic creations, carefully curated by Armani himself before his final days.
Carlo Capasa, president of Italy’s fashion chamber, highlighted that this edition of Milan Fashion Week honors not only Armani’s designs but also the lessons he offered in creativity, business, and humanity.
Leading Italian Fashion Houses
The Spring/Summer 2026 collections brought energy and excitement from the biggest Italian brands. Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Max Mara, Fendi, Roberto Cavalli, Ferragamo, and Bottega Veneta all presented fresh visions, reinforcing Milan’s reputation as a global fashion capital.
Fresh Creative Directions
This season also marked a turning point for several leading fashion houses:
- Demna, formerly of Balenciaga, debuted for Gucci with a private presentation, aiming to restore growth after a period of declining sales.
- Dario Vitale stepped in as creative director of Versace, succeeding Donatella Versace after nearly 30 years. His debut balanced the house’s heritage with a modern voice.
- Louise Trotter staged her first runway show for Bottega Veneta, while Italian designer Simone Bellotti took over as creative lead at Jil Sander.
Industry Challenges Ahead
These changes arrive during a time of uncertainty: slowing demand in China, global instability, and rising consumer expectations alongside higher prices. Analyst Luca Solca noted a modest rebound in Chinese consumer confidence this summer but stressed that innovation will be the key to driving future purchases.
Milan Fashion Week 2025 showed that even in mourning, the fashion industry continues to move forward—blending reverence for tradition with bold steps into the future.
