Milan Fashion Week. Image: National Chamber of Italian Fashion

Milan Fashion Week, taking place 22-28 February with one hundred and sixty-nine presentation, has more runway shows since the global pandemic broke out. The power-packed schedule of the women’s ready-to-wear Fall Winter 2022-23 season, including the return of heavyweights Gucci, Giorgio Armani,  Bottega Veneta and Italian house Trussardi making a comeback after five years, is one of the most anticipated events in the fashion calendar. 

“In 2021 we recovered two thirds of what we lost in 2020. It has been an important year which encourages us to believe that in 2022 we will return to our pre-pandemic level,” stated Carlo Capasa, president of the National Chamber of Italian Fashion, during a presentation of Milan Fashion Week.

Sixty-seven fashion shows, seventy-seven presentations and nine events are on the schedule. Luxury fashion brands Prada, Fendi and Versace will be doing catwalk shows instead of digital presentations. As will Moschino, Max Mara and Dolce & Gabbana. The first Diesel helmed by creative director Glenn Martins is one of the buzzwords too! New entries are quite exciting including Plein Sport which will host an off-site show at its newly acquired hotel, Palazzo Melzi d’Eril. Jewellery turned ready-to-wear brand Ambush, AC9, Aniye Records, Onitsuka Tiger, Hans Kjøbenhavn, Palm Angels and Ferrari will also make its Milan Fashion Week debut. Designer Marco Rambaldi, winner of CNMI’s ‘Made In Italy’ designer contest, will show on 23 February. Yes, the industry is sighing with relief that the disruption caused by the pandemic is receding. 

Image: National Chamber of Italian Fashion

Sadly, though, one will miss Salvatore Ferragamo which is hosting a presentation instead. Other presentations generating interest are British outerwear brand Husky, Francesco Murano, Luciano Padovan, South Korean brand Miss Sohee, Balestra, Durazzi, Cukovy, Andrea Incontri, Ramzen, Bloke, Sa Su Phi, Edoardo Gallorin, Tu Lizè and Vaishali Shadangule. Per Fashion Network, ‘This stimulating Milan Week will also be an opportunity to discover new cultural venues in the metropolis, such as the new epicenter of Fashion Week, the ADI Design Museum in Via Ceresio. The National Chamber of Italian Fashion is moving its Fashion Hub and its many projects dedicated to sustainable and emerging labels to this location this season. Another notable venue is Mudec, a cultural hub dedicated to the world’s diverse cultures in the Tortona district…’

“Everyone wants to come to Milan! The demand for fashion shows is more than double that of the current calendar. With its 800 showrooms, the city is like an open-air fair. Even the big fashion houses that showcase elsewhere have their showrooms here. People come here to do business,” Carlo Capasa, president of the National Chamber of Italian Fashion, told Fashion United.

After the pandemic forced a shift in strategy for fashion weeks, physical shows are finally back with live audiences. ”Despite the uncertainty which is still in the air and the real difficulties of the moment, we are extremely proud to present a calendar rich in projects and events which confirm the key role of Milan as one of the capitals of world fashion. I think that it is a strong signal of optimism and positivity, that infuses a new impulse to the sector,” Carlo Capasa said in a statement. Stay tuned for more news!!