Milan Fashion Week begins on Tuesday, bringing a full week of Italian style, glamour, and creativity. This year’s event will be especially emotional, as it is set to highlight the very last collections of Giorgio Armani, who passed away earlier this month at the age of 91.
Armani was not only a world-famous designer but also one of the key figures who helped make Milan an international fashion capital. His death has cast a shadow over the week, making his final works the most talked-about moment of the event.
Many of the biggest Italian fashion houses will also be showing their Spring/Summer 2026 women’s collections. These include Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Max Mara, Fendi, Roberto Cavalli, Ferragamo, and Bottega Veneta. Fashion lovers, celebrities, and industry insiders will be watching closely to see how each brand presents its vision for the upcoming season.
The Giorgio Armani show on Sunday was always expected to be a grand celebration, marking 50 years of the label. Now, it has taken on even deeper meaning as a farewell tribute to the designer. The show will be held at Milan’s famous Pinacoteca di Brera art museum, a fitting location for a man whose work is considered timeless art. At the same museum, an exhibition of Armani’s 150 most iconic designs will run from September 24 to January 11. According to the Armani group, the designer himself worked on this exhibition right up until his final days.
Carlo Capasa, president of Italy’s fashion chamber, explained that this season’s Milan Fashion Week is also a way of honoring Armani’s legacy. He said Armani provided not just creative and business inspiration, but also valuable human lessons. In a fashion world that is rapidly changing, Armani’s focus on vision, quality, and consistency continues to stand as a guide for the future.
But Milan Fashion Week is not only about remembrance,it is also about new beginnings. Several highly anticipated debuts are taking place this week. One of the most talked-about is the arrival of Georgian designer Demna at Gucci. Demna, who spent the last decade at Balenciaga, now faces the difficult task of turning around Gucci’s falling sales. This makes his role one of the toughest jobs in luxury fashion today. Although Gucci will not appear on the official runway calendar, a private presentation will take place on Tuesday evening. Kering’s new CEO, Luca de Meo, described the event as a film that will show Demna’s unique interpretation of Gucci.
Versace is also entering a new era. Dario Vitale has stepped in as creative director, taking over from Donatella Versace, who had led the house for nearly 30 years. Since Prada recently acquired the brand, much attention is on what direction Vitale will take. Instead of a typical runway show, Versace will host an intimate event on Friday night to reveal Vitale’s first collection. Organizers say the presentation will highlight both the bold foundations of Versace and the fresh ideas Vitale brings to the label.
Other new creative directors are also stepping into the spotlight. British designer Louise Trotter will show her first runway collection for Bottega Veneta, while Italian Simone Bellotti will present for Jil Sander. These changes are part of a larger shake-up across the fashion world, including at major houses like Dior and Chanel. The luxury industry is facing challenges such as slower demand in China and uncertainty in the global economy.
However, there are some signs of improvement. Analyst Luca Solca from Bernstein noted that Chinese shoppers showed more confidence over the summer, with more people returning to stores. Still, he explained that rising prices mean fashion houses must always offer something fresh and exciting to keep customers interested. For this reason, many luxury brands are undergoing big changes in leadership, hoping that new creative visions will inspire consumers once again.
