Could it have been more apt that the invite to the city’s first big show – Gucci’s – would include an image of a clothing label stitched with the words Faconnier de Reves, Italian for dream maker? For the seven days that the bustling design centre in northern Italy played host to the world’s fashion press and VIPs mid-February, it certainly seemed like it.
Cue the mega celebrity wattage – or, more specifically, K-celebrity wattage. Prada’s special guest was Blackpink’s wildly popular Lisa Manoban. Song Hye Kyo made a surprise appearance at every street style star’s new favourite label Bottega Veneta while Hwang Min-hyun of the boy band Nu’est rubbed shoulders with Will Smith at Moncler’s reveal of its 12 drops for the year under its Genius initiative. (Introduced in 2018, Genius sees the skiwear specialist team up with various names on capsule
collections with JW Anderson and Rimowa joining the line-up for the first time in 2020.)
Then of course there was the glamour on the runway, albeit a Gen Z strain of it. By that, we mean plenty of made-for-Instagram moments. (Cue Versace’s first co-ed show where the audience was as much in the spotlight as the chainmail and leather-clad models, thanks to an LED screen that ran down the middle of the catwalk and captured guests pre- and post-show.) Social consciousness was also a key theme with Fendi using an age- and size-diverse cast to parade sensuous, ’40s-inflected tailoring and Emporio Armani flashing messages about sustainability on screens as models – dressed in romantic, Victorian-tinged suits – walked by.
So what did Gucci show? True to creative director Alessandro Michele’s fantastic eye: a pastiche of influences spanning grunge to prairie all set on a giant carousel that doubled up as the dressing area, exposing all the goings-on behind-the-scenes. The city today is a far different sight and needs very much a dream maker. Say what you will, but fashion can be a part of that answer.
Gucci’s rotating glass carousel brought the backstage to the runway.
Korean singer-songwriter IU at the Gucci show.
Thai Actress Davika Hoorne and Australian fashion influencer Kim Jones.
Models at the Brunello Cucinelli presentation.
Models “skied” on the wall at Moncler Grenoble’s creative installation space.
The installation for the Craig Green and Moncler collaboration.
Korean boy-group NU’EST’s member Hwang Min-hyun alongside models at Moncler 1952.
Local influencer Nellie Lim (left) capturing the Max Mara show with her Samsung Galaxy Z Flip phone.
Backstage at Max Mara.
Influencers Venice Min (left) and Nellie Lim spotted outside Max Mara.
Taiwanese influencer Molly Chiang seen outside the Max Mara show.
Gucci is bringing back the iconic Jackie bag in a soft pastel hue as well as introducing a new miniature size for Fall.
New additions to the Furla 1927 bag collection.16. Prada bowling bag spotted outside show venue.jpg
Blackpink’s member Lisa Manoban brought a dose of15. Prada transforms show space into a public arena with a series of sliding and interlocking planes.jpg K-Pop glitz at Prada.
Prada transformed its show space into a public arena.
Prada’s retro chic Bowling bag spotted outside the Prada show.
Chinese model He Cong strutted down the Fendi runway in a coat with a leopard-paisley hybrid print.
Japanese DJ twins Amiaya at Fendi.
A Marie Antoinette moment with American model Bella Hadid at Moschino.
Emporio Armani beamed messages on sustainability around its show space.
Our iridescent Samsung Galaxy Z Flip phone perfectly matched the Sportmax show invite.
Southeast Asian influencers unite outside the Sportmax show venue: (from left) Singapore’s Nellie Lim, Vietnam’s Chau Bui and Malaysia’s Venice Min.
Introducing Bvlgari’s new It bag for Fall/Winter: the 7 Ways bag.
The setup at the Sergio Rossi Fall/Winter presentation.
A matchy-matchy situation at the Sergio Rossi presentation with our Samsung Galaxy Z Flip.
Donatella Versace greeted the guests and took her bow via a giant LED screen.
Versace captured real-time visuals of its audience on the giant LED screen/runway backdrop.
A honeycomb mirror installation at the Bally presentation.
Korean superstar Song Hye-kyo at Bottega Veneta.
Signing off from Milan Fashion Week (with my statement accessory Samsung Galaxy Z Flip on my neck) and fashion influencer Nellie Lim.