5 things to expect from Milan Fashion Week FW25 Women's

After the Sanremo break (which perhaps wasn’t really a break), Italian fashion resumes its place in the fashion month, and Milan is preparing to host Fashion Week dedicated to women's collections for the FW25 season. Despite geopolitical uncertainty and global economic challenges, as well as the recent shuffle of creative directors that has left some brands without a designer, the atmosphere remains optimistic, and the city is ready for a week packed with events, shows, and new releases. With 153 events on the calendar, including 56 physical shows and numerous presentations, the upcoming Milan Fashion Week promises to be an unmissable event that not only celebrates fashion but also stimulates the entire city’s economy, generating an estimated revenue of €185 million. Here are the five main things to expect from Milan Fashion Week FW25 Women’s.

The Season of Anniversaries

This year’s calendar is marked by birthdays and anniversaries. Fendi will celebrate its centenary with a co-ed show on February 26, designed by Silvia Venturini Fendi, which promises to be a major event (more on this in point 3). Meanwhile, K-Way will celebrate its 60th anniversary with a special show and an exhibition featuring a cultural program open to the public. Dsquared2 will mark its 30th anniversary with a co-ed show and a special after-party, while Giorgio Armani will celebrate 50 years of his historic brand—although details on how he will celebrate remain a mystery. One thing is certain: we won’t be disappointed.

Exhibitions Open to the Public

Fashion Week can be a strange time for Milan’s residents: congested streets, celebrities appearing around every corner, packed restaurants and public transport, and swarms of models dazzling passersby. Yet, many events are closed to the vast majority of the public. However, this season, alongside industry-exclusive runway shows, the week will also offer some public events. Not to be missed are the "Anna Piaggi, Parole e Taffetà" exhibition and the "Balenciaga: Shoes From Spain Tribute" exhibition at Palazzo Morando. As previously mentioned, K-Way will host an exhibition at the Museo Della Permanente, while 10 Corso Como will showcase an installation featuring brands such as Duran Lantink, Hodakova, Vaquera, and Zomer, launching on February 26.Giada will also turn her presentation at the Braidense Library in Brera into an exhibition open to the public until March 2.

Silvia Venturini Fendi’s Last Show?

Adding to the drama, one of the most emotional moments will be Silvia Venturini Fendi’s last show as creative director of accessories and menswear collections for the Roman house. Considering Kim Jones’ departure last October, it seems that the brand is about to face major winds of change. After years of significant contributions, the Italian designer’s farewell will be celebrated with a co-ed show that promises to be one of the most moving and memorable moments of the week.

Brands Without Creative Directors

After major upheavals in the world of creative directors, some brands will once again present their collections without a lead designer this season. Bottega Veneta, following Matthieu Blazy’s departure and Louise Trotter’s arrival, will not hold a show but will inaugurate its new headquarters at Palazzo San Fedele with an artistic performance. After the sudden exit of Sabato De Sarno earlier this month, Gucci will open Fashion Week with a unified show, while other brands like Bally and Jil Sander will be under close watch as they await new appointments.

The Most Anticipated Debuts

On the other hand, when one door closes, another opens; and that’s why Milan Fashion Week FW25 also promises a long list of debuts. Lorenzo Serafini will make his debut as creative director at Alberta Ferretti, while David Koma will step into Blumarine. Missoni will see the return of Alberto Caliri as creative director. Among emerging names, the presentations of Francesco Murano, Giuseppe Di Morabito, and Institution by Galib Gassanoff stand out. The Fashion Hub will also host young talents, with a focus on sustainability and designers from Seoul. Among the most anticipated speculations, there is also the possible return of Atelier Versace: according to the brand’s Global VP of Marketing, during the show on February 28, there will be “the debut of a new luxury line within the Versace universe.”