The biannual Milan Fashion Week concluded Sept. 23 after designers’ Spring and Summer 2025 ready-to-wear collections graced the runway.
The variety of well-known brands brought over 100,000 people to Italy to participate in the event. During the week, over 50 runway shows were held along with presentations and private parties to compliment the main catwalk component.
While many shows occurred, here are a few that stood out amongst the rest.
Dolce & Gabbana
Dolce & Gabbana's runway show at Metropol blended classic and couture with its '50s-inspired designs that highlighted Italian beauty. The Metropol is Dolce & Gabbana's multi-functional space and is where the brand has held shows since 2005.
The cone-shaped bustier was a common theme throughout various looks. The shape became popular in the 1950s and has been a standout in pop culture since. The detail reemerges multiple times within the collection.
The garments were designed to represent femininity through dress with the contrast of sheer lingerie and elegant clothing displayed throughout the collection. The models all donned platinum blonde wigs, reminiscent of the Italian cut popularized in the 1950s. The uniformity of the hairstyles pulled the whole collection together.
Gucci
Gucci’s runway show at Triennale Milano had an abundance of color with its sunset-themed show. On Gucci’s Instagram, Sabato De Sarno, the creative director, described the collection.
“It’s the moment we find ourselves,” De Sarno said. “This collection is a tribute to those moments, and an invitation to stop, seek your own moment.”
The clothes displayed a different hue throughout the collection, transitioning from one color to another. The rooms matched the transition, as the walls were designed to blend between red, orange and yellow.
De Sarno played with multiple different techniques throughout the collection. Dresses draped over the shoulder made multiple appearances on the runway in shades of coral, black and white. Purposefully bubbled stitching was noticeable in short skirts which were usually accompanied by a patterned camisole top and jacket.
Prada
Prada’s runway represented an unconventional style through its design. The outlandish-looking garments were a critique of social media’s algorithm and the lack of individuality it creates.
The collection instead brought an extreme individuality to every look. Admittingly, Miuccia Prada told Vogue Runway she was worried about the runway.
“It was a different approach,” Prada said. “Instead of having three or four themes for the season, we were trying to do the whole in our way.”
Though the looks contained porthole skirts, bug-eyed glasses and intentional wrinkles, the catwalk still was a standout of the week because of its uniqueness.
Versace
Versace’sSpring and Summer 2025 runway at Castello Sforzesco was an electrifying runway meant to represent joy and optimism with renewed vitality. The collaboration of shapes, patterns and colors sparked a more instead of less mindset.
The lavender and canary shades appeared in multiple patterns adding brightness to the room. The pattern mixing often created a strain on the eyes, yet the clashing patterns worked together to complement the looks.
Donatella Versace explained the collection’s purpose in a statement on the brand’s website.
“There is so much darkness in the world,” Versace said. “With this collection, I wanted to bring color, light, optimism and joy — we have never needed it more!”
