Milano Fashion Week 2017: Green Carpet Awards and Ethical Fashion

The Milano Fashion Week, established in 1958 and part of the 'big four' alongside London, New York, and Paris, runs from September 20 to 25, 2017. A highlight is the inaugural Green Carpet Fashion Awards on September 24 at Teatro della Scala, organized by the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana in collaboration with EcoAge. The awards, championed by Livia Firth, founder of EcoAge, recognize a designer among five finalists for a Made In Italy collection adhering to social and environmental values. The event is supported by Value Retail, which promotes responsible talent. The week opens with a debate by Greenpeace Italia involving Fashion Revolution and European SMEs focused on Slow-Fashion, exemplified by Bonotto's Fabbrica Lenta. The initiative aims to reduce hazardous chemicals in textile supply chains over six years. The fashion week is decentralized, modeled after Salone del Mobile, with events across Milan, including an artistic prelude 'Milano XL-La festa della creatività' from September 16 to 26. The schedule features 60 runway shows, 80 presentations, 40 events, and 800 showrooms, expecting 25,000 attendees. Venues include Prada's headquarters, Fendi at Fondazione Pomodoro, Gucci's new space at former Caproni hangar, Armani's silos, historic buildings like Palazzo Archinto for Bottega Veneta, museums such as PAC for Diego Della Valle, Triennale for Versace and Fausto Puglisi, and restored areas like Sala delle Cavallerizze for Blumarine and Palaghiaccio for Etro.