Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2026: A Season of Spectacle, Sentiment, and Shifting Power
Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2026 was more than a showcase it was a seismic moment in fashion’s evolving narrative. The city, ever devoted to design and fashion, delivered a week that fused wearable elegance with cinematic grandeur, editorial precision, and emotional farewells. From surprise debuts to star-studded front rows, Milan reminded us why it remains fashion’s most theatrical stage.
The week began with a bold move from Gucci. On the final day of London Fashion Week, the brand released its Spring/Summer 2026 images a strategic teaser for Demna Gvasalia’s debut collection. The campaign, titled La Famiglia, reimagined Gucci’s codes through archetypes and portraits, shot by Catherine Opie. The following day, Milan hosted a mega event featuring the short film The Tiger, directed by Spike Jonze and Halina Reijn, starring Demi Moore in a gold embroidered Gucci gown that stole the spotlight. The film’s cast Edward Norton, Elliot Page, Kendall Jenner, and more embodied Demna’s new lexicon, blending heritage with subversion.
Glenn Martens turned the Diesel show into a public spectacle. Models were encased in transparent egg-shaped vessels scattered across Milan, allowing passersby to discover the collection in real time. The concept “Diesel for the people” was a rebellious nod to democratized fashion. In contrast, Alberta Ferretti offered a serene, feminine collection led by Lorenzo Serafini, with flowing silhouettes and romantic tones that reaffirmed the brand’s timeless appeal.
Simone Bellotti’s debut at Jil Sander was a masterclass in minimalism. Clean lines, electric hues, and sheer bodycon dresses paired with brogues made the collection both editorial and wearable. Silvia Venturini Fendi’s final solo collection for Fendi was a bittersweet triumph. Airy silhouettes, floral cut-outs, and thigh-grazing shorts captured summer’s spirit. Days later, the announcement of her departure marked the end of an era.
Missoni’s vacation-ready collection screamed “take me to the beach,” with knitwear emerging as the season’s hero. J Salinas elevated crochet to couture levels, offering sophisticated textures perfect for travel. Alessandro Dell’Acqua’s N°21 played with transparency and layering, delivering a refined sensuality that felt both modern and nostalgic.
Max Mara opened with its signature beige trench, a tribute to real women and timeless tailoring. Prada, meanwhile, unveiled its collection in a Luxury Endless orange set an atmospheric nod to editorial storytelling. The collection featured new silhouettes, unexpected colour pairings, soft bags, and slingback pointy shoes. It was quintessential Prada: detail-driven, sophisticated, and effortlessly chic.
Anna Wintour and Meryl Streep backstage at Dolce & Gabbana
Moschino’s show was a joyful celebration of wearable humour, staying true to its DNA. Casadei’s presentation was set within an illustrated world of shoes, bags, books and their beloved brown poodle. Fausto Puglisi’s “Gold Obsession” for Roberto Cavalli was a red carpet fantasy, referencing Cleopatra, Nan Kempner, and Jane Birkin. The collection shimmered with artful nostalgia and unapologetic glamour.
Tod’s brought quiet luxury to the runway with a masterclass in understated elegance. Amber Valletta at the show, embodying the brand’s timeless appeal. The collection centred on impeccably crafted leather pieces gommino loafers and flat leather flip-flops that redefined summer chic with effortless sophistication.
Louise Trotter’s debut at Bottega Veneta was a triumph of texture and tailoring. Feathered fibreglass pieces and masculine-inspired outerwear signaled a new editorial direction. Dolce & Gabbana stole the viral moment of the week with the surprise appearance of The Devil Wears Prada 2 cast. Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci, and Simone Ashley sat front row alongside Naomi Campbell and Michele Morrone, opposite Anna Wintour. The collection’s theme “Pijama Party” was a playful ode to summer’s sleepless nights and beach club escapades.
The week closed with a memorial show for Giorgio Armani, held in a candlelit courtyard at the Pinacoteca di Brera. Ludovico Einaudi’s piano accompanied models in shimmering midnight navy. Lauren Hutton, Richard Gere, Glenn Close, and Cate Blanchett paid tribute to Armani’s legacy. It was a solemn, elegant goodbye to the man who shaped Milan’s fashion identity.
Milan Spring/Summer 2026 was a season of transformation where legacy met innovation, and fashion became a living, breathing spectacle. From Demna’s cinematic Gucci to Armani’s final bow, the week proved that Milan doesn’t just host fashion it lives it.
Giorgio Armani