Milan Fashion Week 2024

Nearest to style thought and cultural conceptions of collection while still within the Milan context this season has begin with Neil Barrett. Launched last June, Barrett’s much awaited collection of menswear pays tribute to Harris tweed and militaristic themes by blending them with single breasted overcoats and leather gloves delicately fastened with hooks. 

Definitively not on the agenda for now are Givenchy and Dries Van Noten such in case of the latter that the new artistic director for the former should be introducing his vision on the brand in next season. We might also take into account Luke Derrick – his London based label was in the limelight this season thanks to the new fashionable fusion of menswear.

First Of All

What was apparent this time around was the heightened emphasis on issues of sustainability as well as the advocacy of socially acceptable practices. From the awards set forward by CNMI Sustainable Fashion to the Black Carpet Awards that raise the profile of black people in Italy, this week is not just a week of fashion.

In earlier years, the Milan fashion scene was widely recognized for focusing on its signature elements and reemphasizing the identity of the house. This year, however, a number of designers decided to deviate from the template. Some opted to embrace the sense of playfulness and ingenuity of a child’s imagination as opposed to merely creating practical clothing. This was most apparent during a Blazy show where the designer spoke about the love of fashion that comes to everyone who ever played ‘dress up’ with their parents’ clothes.

Another important point raised was the changing perceptions about race in the selection of model for different events. Marco de Vincenzo and Blumarine, for instance, employed models of different ages, body types and structures for their collections as part of this effort. Also promoting diversity are the designers Annakiki and Maison Nencioni for their Spring/Summer 2025 collections works which incorporated diverse representation in their casting.

New eco-friendly names from Kosovo, like Kaone and Handmade BUKURA, had a big impact. The first collection was created from upcycled materials and the latter’s pieces were based on images of need and visions about survival and rebirth. In a similar vein, WSO assisted these and many other brands in showcasing their work during the ‘Beyond the Claim’ Sustainable Fashion Show at Milan Fashion Week.

Fashion seeks to inspire people and move them beyond their imagination.

Milan, the modeling center for couples and well-known celebrities like Gigi Hadid, Channing Tatum, and Jameela Jamil, has welcomed the likes of fashion influencers and fans after weeks of anticipation from New York and London events, finishing with the Fendi fashion week.As the fashion world changes and more people aspire to know better about it. Kendall Jenner has stunned her fans with a fresh appeal in boho style at the Bottega Veneta Show. The lovely Julianne Moore stepped on the catwalk looking classy in a loose over-sized striped coat. Adriana Arjona on the other hand, spotted perfect ankle boots together with a leather pair of pants and attended the shoe-wear at Prada.

In the course of the week, designers Marco de Vincenzo, Summers and Karoline Vitto helped highlight the discussion concerning casting diversity by embracing an inclusive casting strategy. Also, Jeremy Scott’s Cut-out Collection confirms to the notion that the future would be dominated by themed fashion accessories influenced by the theme or story behind them and the personal experiences of the person wearing them.

In the same breath, at the end of Emporio’s Armani FW2024 show the audience witnessed the last collection of the house founder’s namesake collection in a snow storm that wasn’t actually quite real but a trend that took off from the show of Jacob Cohen to Versace in the Finale Part of the Menswear Fashion Week held in February. The audience got to see ensembles from 3d gold wiggle dress to mirrored paillettes and sculptural tops and the best part models marched through this pseudo snow. Also, Boss designer Marco Falcioni looked to provide calm and tranquility to the viewers through his collection of business suits that were kept tasteful which meant less effort was put into designing shoulder pads and adding jacket linings.

Fashion For The People

As the week went by there appeared to be more focus on the social aspect of people rather than just business. It appeared as though manifestos were idle, and that all the hype around the brands meant nothing as the paradox became real and the brands used the same old techniques to garner sales. Thus, noting a stark decrease in the creativity across the brands of the fashion world.

With the addition of Gigi Hadid, who showcased the Alberta Ferretti on the catwalk, in what can be said a boisterous presence was back, so was Francesco Risso who brought at the Marni his focus on the lavish with the addition of soft tulle dresses that ushered the audience forward while they slowly moved about. Karoline Vitto’s body conscious designs should’ve been a turn off for Rocco Forte models, but they were a hit among the fashion elites so it’s all good.

Other notable inclusions are Givenchy whose search for new creative director is yet to be fruitful or Dries Van Noten which are both devoid of directors bearing their name (the last mentioned will have its show on the afternoon of Wednesday 25). On the other hand, the showing of Chanel is set for the morning of October 1, which is a departure from the custom of showing the collection on Sunday.

With the spectacular line up of front row guests and breathtaking looks expected from the models, Milan Fashion Week 2024 already promises to enthrall just as much as New York and London fashion weeks, for instance. During the week a number of famous outfits have been seen such as Dakota Johnson’s glittering midi dress at Gucci and Ashley’s chunky Tod’s coat. Looking at offshoots such as Daniel del Core and Nicola Formichetti also seems a good idea.

The Reason to Keep Moving Forward

Fashion can’t be reduced only to pieces of clothing, it is an ensemble of feelings. And there was more than enough of such clothing during Milan Fashion Week 2024 that one could put on and feel better. The latter aspect was also true for embellishments and fabrics, the combination of which was in a wider context the direction Max Mara and Marni were taking — draped silks as well as rhinestone embroidered tulle.

In other places, Normcore’s dowdy blouse saw a frothy turn (think on the left with prada a frilled pussy bows and on the right Jil Sander with Peter Pan collar shirts in a buttoned-up fashion). Also, dark and utilitarian tones were getting better, note rich olive at Alberta Ferretti’s, shadow khaki at Tod’s as well as MM6 Maison Margiela. Actually some dark and double selvedge denim was picked up in the case of Bally and Fendi.

Among other highlights, Filippo Grazioli put a fluid and free-wheeling graphic twist on dresses, coats, and sweaters through the Missoni house’s signature zig-zag pattern. And sculptural play was also important whether as an architectural installation in the shape of a pair of hands or fur which dangled like the tea leaves from a model’s shoulder.

In other areas, Ian Griffiths was more widespread this time around in comparison to other US women’s’ line because he was inspired by the works of Hypatia – an Alexandrian mathematician and astronomer. GCDS, Marco Rambaldi, and Sunnei, in turn, presented a more experimental fashion, combining the features of the avant-garde and streetwear directions. Precisely Antonio Marras offered new angles to the Little Red Riding Hood 2.0, by modernizing the fairytale in an admirable way.