Fashion Weeks Face Omicron Disruptions as Brands Cancel Shows

The 2022 fashion season opens under a cloud as Giorgio Armani cancels his men's and haute couture shows, and Brunello Cucinelli withdraws from Pitti Uomo. Despite these setbacks, Milan Fashion Week (January 14-18) and Paris Fashion Week (men's January 18-23, couture January 24-27) are proceeding with strict health protocols. Milan requires a super green pass and FFP2 masks; Paris mandates masks, vaccination passes, and one-meter seating. Carlo Capasa, president of Camera della Moda, warns that some events may be canceled or postponed, with online alternatives. In France, daily COVID cases neared 300,000 on Tuesday. The Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode is expected to issue even stricter guidelines. Buyer travel is complicated: EU and US buyers need vaccination and negative PCR or antigen tests; UK buyers face non-essential travel bans. Despite the chaos, many brands confirm physical shows: Kean Etro on January 16 in Milan, Pier Paolo Piccioli for Valentino on January 26 at Place Vendôme, and Hermès, Dior, Loewe, and Kenzo (marking Nigo's debut as artistic director after Virgil Abloh's death). Newcomers Bianca Saunders, Egonlab, and Rains are betting on live presentations. Paco Rabanne and Alaïa plan women's presentations outside the official calendar on January 23.