As always, Milan Fashion Week went off with a busy schedule: runway shows, presentations, events, and exclusive after-parties organized by major brands. Designers presented their Spring-Summer 2025 collections, introducing the latest trends in clothing, accessories, colors, and silhouettes. After the shows, mega-brands hold re-sees as well, giving invited guests—buyers, journalists, influencers, and industry professionals a chance to have a closer look at the new collections. This season, Versace, Prada, Gucci, Fendi, and Bottega Veneta hosted these detailed previews.
The week opened with a Fendi show. A grand event at the 10 Corso Como exhibition space marked the launch of both American photographer Talia Chetrit’s exhibition and Milan Fashion Week. Another standout evening was a beautifully organized dinner by Furla and Purple Fashion Magazine at the Galleria d’Arte Moderna, preceded by a private tour of Kelly Akashi’s artwork.
A significant celebration took place at Palazzo Citterio for Vogue Italia’s 60th anniversary. Memorable after-parties were hosted by Prada, Armani, and D&G. Since 2023, Milan Fashion Week has featured the Black Carpet Awards, an event focused on diversity and inclusion, honoring individuals from the fashion, design, and art sectors across Italy.
During Fashion Week, designers go to great lengths to present their latest creations in the most captivating ways. They select unique locations, choose intriguing soundtracks, and models that best represent their collections. They also stage performances, runway shows, or presentations, all combined into a cohesive experience that effectively conveys the designer’s vision and message.
Luisa Beccaria‘s collection, as always, exuded a “princess-like” aura, filled with floral fabrics and pastel tones. She presented it at the famous “Lu Bar,” collaborating with her daughter, Lucilla Bonaccorsi. The Bottega Veneta show in Milan attracted high-profile guests, including Kendall Jenner, Jacob Elordi, and A$AP Rocky. Journalists praised Bottega Veneta’s creative director, Matthieu Blazy, as a rare talent capable of marrying conceptual artistry with everyday practicality.
Avavav’s show took place at a stadium, where creative director Beate Skonare Karlsson transformed the runway into a marathon, with models running in mock exhaustion to present the new collection, created in collaboration with Adidas.
LaDoubleJ’s creative director, JJ Martin, paired the collection presentation with a yoga class featuring renowned instructors, allowing invited guests to participate. The brand presented a collection filled with its signature textures and vibrant prints.
Laura Biagiotti, a beloved brand in Italy, held its show on the “Piccolo Teatro” stage, attended by top model Bar Refaeli and famous Italian singers and actors. The Biagiotti woman remains ethereal, feminine, and classic.
Versace’s show took place at “Castello Sforzesco,” with Donatella drawing inspiration from her own Versus Spring 1997 collection. The collection featured pastel colors, floral and zigzag textures, brown and carrot-toned leather pieces, and a signature innovation: Versace perfume bottles replacing the standard shoe heel. The collection’s standout innovation was a zero-waste dress made from 3D nylon polymers. Guests had the opportunity to explore the collection’s intricate details during the re-see at “Palazzo Versace.”
In Milan, the highlight was the Del Core show, a new brand founded by Daniel Del Core. Seeing Naomi Campbell on the runway was an unexpected surprise for everyone. Personally, I find it especially delightful when ’90s supermodels make appearances. Naomi, as everyone agrees, remains ageless and captivating on the catwalk. Another standout show for me this season was the one by Sportmax, held in the magnificent Brera Academy building. Backstage, amidst the stunning models, I photographed gorgeous Irina Shayk, both before the show and on the runway. Dean Quinn’s minimalist collection intrigued me with its diverse textures. Although Dolce & Gabbana isn’t typically my favorite brand, they had an exceptional season. Models in blonde wigs imitated pop icon Madonna, with Vittoria Ceretti opening the show. Mona, Irina Shayk, and Mariacarla joined her on the runway. Adding even more glamour, Madonna herself sat in the front row, her face veiled in black lace. She, as a long-time friend of Stefano and Domenico, brought about an extra touch of star power. The fashion week ended with D&G’s famous after-party at D&G Martini, ensuring a memorable finale.
Roberto Cavalli‘s show had an impressive finale, featuring top models Mariacarla Boscono, Natasha Poly, Isabeli Fontana, Alek Wek, Joan Smalls, Karen Elson, and Eva Herzigova walking together to the backdrop of Freddie Mercury’s famous hit. Max&Co. consistently presents collaborations during Milan Fashion Week each season. This time, they presented a new collection in partnership with the renowned stylist Lorenzo Posocco. Every season, I eagerly anticipate collections from brands like: Bottega Veneta for its innovative designs, Marni for intriguing textures and silhouettes, Jil Sander for its minimalist elegance, and Prada for the fascinating synthesis of mesmerizing fabrics.
This season also saw many emerging brands presenting creative collections alongside well-established megabrands. BruceGlen had bold colors and prints, while Gianluca Capannolo presented a feminine collection featuring gold tones and statement jewelry. Casa Preti staged a voting simulation during their presentation, adding an interactive twist. Shows by Chicco Mao and Phan Dang Hoang took place at Palazzo Reale. A standout discovery for me this season was Taller Marmo. Their presentation on Via Montenapoleone was inspired by the 1960s and the works of renowned photographer Slim Aarons. The ambiance felt like a scene from Breakfast at Tiffany’s, with both the interior and clothing evoking the atmosphere of a party hosted by Holly Golightly.
Sustainable Fashion
There are some brands that prioritize ecofriendly and ethical approaches as their core mission. The prime example is Themoire, a label committed to minimizing environmental impact. Their fur-textured bags, for instance, are madefrom Sorona, a material derived from processed corn seeds mixed with polyester fibers, giving the fabric a soft, fur-like texture without using animal products. Sunnei also made a strong statement during Milan Fashion Week with its Spring/Summer 2025 collection, marking the brand’s 10th anniversary. Known for bold colors, exaggerated silhouettes, and distinctive stripes, Sunnei stayed true to its signature style. Unlike the fast-paced rhythm of many fashion shows, Sunnei adopted a slower, more deliberate presentation, underscoring their ethos of challenging industry norms. Thehighlight of their show was the inclusion of older models, emphasizing inclusivity and questioning fashion’s traditional fixation on youth. This thoughtful approach reflects a broader movement toward diversity and sustainability within the fashion world.
Shoe Trends
This season, various brands at Milan Fashion Week presented captivating footwear trends for Spring/Summer 2025: Mach & Mach continues to hold its prominence, with their glamorous shoes and bags once again drawing attention. The brand’s presentation remains a highlight in the official schedule. Le Silla stayed true to its high-fashion identity, known for feminine styles, architectural heels, and geometric shapes with intricate cut-outs. Santoni brought a luxurious edge, featuring gold, bronze, vibrant red, and blue hues in their accessory collection. Fratelli Rossetti emphasized deep tones like burgundy and navy, along with elegant cream shades. Premiata embraced boldness with animal textures and silver accents paired with black, making a striking statement. Jimmy Choo focused on silver and pistachio shades, incorporating floral jacquard patterns and delicate bows into their designs. AGL Shoes made florals the central theme, using leather appliqués and intricate embroidery on footwear. Casadei added opulence with oversized pearls and shimmering hardware, featured prominently in both shoes and bags. Additionally, the week marked the opening of Sestini‘s new store, where Carlo Sestini unveiled a sleek eyewear collection, adding to the season’s accessory highlights.
Stylish People
Throughout Milan Fashion Week, certain individuals stood out for their exceptional personal style: Jenny Walton: known for her love of vintage fashion, Walton embodies natural elegance. Her distinct, timeless style is always captivating.Gabriella Caunesil: meeting her at the Loro Piana presentation left a lasting impression. Beyond her striking beauty, her positive character radiates charm. Alison Toby: frequently spotted through my lens, Toby’s minimalist, Parisian-inspired style consistently exudes sophistication. Pietro Terzini: recognized for his viral social media “statements,” Terzini left a memorable impact during our encounter. Caroline Daur, Chiara King, and Olivia Palermo: each brought their unique flair to the week, presenting diverse interpretations of high fashion. Chloe Lecareux and Kelly Rutherford: their presence at various events added a touch of glamour, with styles ranging from classic to contemporary. Emilia Silber: her wardrobe choices throughout the week were both trendy and refined, demonstrating a keen eye for detail.
Color Trends for 2025
The 2025 color palette introduces a rich mix of tones and daring combinations: Key Shades: Brown Tones: Dominant across collections, offering warmth and versatility. Burgundy: deep, luxurious, and sophisticated. Gray Gradients: from soft, misty grays to deeper charcoal tones, adding modern elegance. Pastels: soft hues like baby blue, lavender, and mint continue their gentle appeal. Carrot Orange: a lively, energetic pop of color. “Dusty Pink”: muted and romantic, this shade adds a subtle vintage feel. Black-and-White Combinations: timeless, striking contrasts dominate minimalist and bold looks alike. Unexpected Mixes: pairing traditionally clashing colors and patterns is a trend, evoking what’s dubbed the “Portuguese Girl” style—playful, eclectic, and full of personality. Accessories Focus: metallic accents remain key in bags and shoes, featuring: Silver, Gold, Bronze. This vibrant and eclectic palette encourages bold experimentation and individuality, blending tradition with modernity.
Style Aesthetics
The 2025 trends from Milan combine classic elegance, modern innovation, and sustainability. Animal prints are making a comeback, and mixing sportswear with casual pieces is in vogue. Neutral monochromatic looks also stand out. The key is to find your own style, with trends serving as an added bonus. Overall, Milanese style is known for being bold and expressive, filled with luxurious details and rich textures.
