ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Milano Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2026: Debuts and Farewells

festival-fair · 2026-04-26

The Spring/Summer 2026 edition of Milano Fashion Week featured several notable debuts and a poignant farewell. Dario Vitale presented his first collection for Versace, reviving the authentic 1980s style of Gianni Versace with sexy, joyful, and luxurious designs. Simone Bellotti demonstrated that Jil Sander's minimalism can be exciting through precise cuts and layering, while Louise Trotter at Bottega Veneta focused on material research for a tactile, experimental fashion. Demna staged a private event for his Gucci debut, replacing a traditional runway with a red-carpet-like presentation where models wore looks inspired by Italian stereotypes, generating massive online buzz. The week concluded with Giorgio Armani's final show, held under the porticoes of the Pinacoteca di Brera, featuring dozens of looks and live music by Ludovico Einaudi. Originally planned as a celebration of the brand's 50th anniversary, it became a tribute to Armani, who passed away on September 4, 2025. The show honored his legacy as the king of Italian elegance and the embodiment of Made in Italy.

Key facts

  • Dario Vitale debuted at Versace with a collection inspired by Gianni Versace's 1980s style.
  • Simone Bellotti presented a minimalist yet exciting collection for Jil Sander.
  • Louise Trotter focused on material experimentation for Bottega Veneta.
  • Demna replaced a traditional runway with a private red-carpet event for his Gucci debut.
  • Giorgio Armani's final show took place under the porticoes of the Pinacoteca di Brera.
  • The show featured live music by Ludovico Einaudi and dozens of looks.
  • Armani passed away on September 4, 2025.
  • The show was originally planned as a celebration of the brand's 50th anniversary.

Entities

Artists

  • Dario Vitale
  • Gianni Versace
  • Simone Bellotti
  • Louise Trotter
  • Demna
  • Giorgio Armani
  • Ludovico Einaudi
  • Giulio Solfrizzi

Institutions

  • Versace
  • Jil Sander
  • Bottega Veneta
  • Gucci
  • Giorgio Armani
  • Pinacoteca di Brera
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Milan
  • Italy

Sources