Gucci's Alessandro Michele Presents 'Lanterns' at Milan Fashion Week

At Milan Fashion Week in September 2016, Gucci's creative director Alessandro Michele presented a collection titled 'Lanterns' that critics praised as a magical, immersive experience. The show featured elaborate ensembles blending historical references, theatricality, and contemporary design, with each outfit described as a story or a dream. Michele's approach draws comparisons to early 20th-century couturier Paul Poiret, who similarly faced criticism for creating costumes rather than fashion. The collection reinforces Michele's reputation as an 'ensemblier-couturier,' crafting total environments from carpet to wall color to campaign videos. The show sparked debate about the role of fashion shows and the repetition in fashion journalism, but was widely seen as a standout moment of the week.