Summary:
- Four major fashion houses present new creative directors during Milan Fashion Week Spring 2026 from September 23-29
- Giorgio Armani celebrates his company's 50th anniversary with a special show at Palazzo Brera
- Marni skips this season as new creative director Meryll Rogge prepares for her February 2026 runway debut
Milan Fashion Week Spring 2026 brings an unprecedented number of creative director debuts to the Italian fashion capital. The September 23-29 schedule features new leadership at four major houses: Demna at Gucci, Louise Trotter at Bottega Veneta, Dario Vitale at Versace, and Simone Bellotti at Jil Sander.
Demna's Gucci presentation opens the week on September 23 at 7 p.m. CET. The Georgian designer's first show for the Italian brand comes later in March. This September event focuses more on the house's heritage foundations. Industry sources remain tight-lipped about the presentation format.
Vitale's Versace debut takes a different approach. The September 26 event will be an intimate presentation rather than a traditional runway show. Sources indicate plans include a video component, explaining the brand's absence from the preliminary runway schedule.
Bottega Veneta schedules Trotter's debut for September 28 at 5 p.m. CET, earlier than the brand's typical evening slot. Bellotti presents his Jil Sander vision on the morning of September 24.
Marni sits out this season. New creative director Meryll Rogge, appointed this month to the OTB-owned brand, will present the spring 2026 collection through private showroom appointments. The collection comes from the in-house design studio. Rogge's first runway show debuts in February 2026 for the fall season.
Giorgio Armani marks his company's 50th anniversary with a special celebration. The designer moves from his traditional Sunday morning slot to an evening show on September 28. The spring 2026 collection shows in the courtyard of Palazzo Brera, the 17th-century landmark housing the Pinacoteca museum and Brera Academy.
The Pinacoteca di Brera Museum hosts an exhibition of 150 archival Giorgio Armani looks spanning five decades. This marks the cultural institution's first fashion exhibition. The fashion house also launches Armani/Archivio on August 30 during the Venice Film Festival, featuring a comprehensive digital catalogue of all Giorgio Armani collections.
The 91-year-old designer also presents two Emporio Armani shows on September 25. The Giorgio Armani anniversary show prompted Camera della Moda to move the CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards to Saturday night.
London-based Knwls joins the Milan calendar as a newcomer with an 8 p.m. show on September 24. Indian designer Dhruv Kapoor transitions from the men's to women's calendar after presenting in Milan's January and June men's showcases.
The Attico founders Giorgia Tordini and Gilda Ambrosio stage their third runway show on September 26, maintaining their once-yearly strategy. Boss follows the same approach with its September 25 show.
Returning brands include Stella Jean, Calcaterra, and Federico Cina. Philipp Plein does not appear on the current lineup.
Fendi continues its centennial celebrations with another coed show designed by Silvia Venturini Fendi, artistic director of accessories and menswear. The brand navigates creative changes following Kim Jones's departure last year.
Prada maintains its usual 2 p.m. Thursday slot on September 25. Max Mara, Ferrari, Alberta Ferretti, and Roberto Cavalli keep their regular time slots.
The week closes on September 29 with digital presentations. Italian brand Meincorp by Lorenzo Sala and Ukrainian brand Nadya Dyzak, previously showing at London Fashion Week, join the Milan schedule for the first time.
The complete Milan Fashion Week schedule, including all presentations and events, will be released in September.
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Eric Grischott
Born in Groningen in 1991, Eric Grischott is a linguist with a deep-rooted passion for art, music, and fashion. His academic journey led him to graduate in languages, further enriching his linguistic prowess. His thirst for knowledge and cultural immersion took him abroad, where he gained invaluable experience and insights. Eric’s linguistic expertise is not confined to just theory. He has honed his skills in French and German through specialized DELF and DELE courses, demonstrating his commitment to mastering these languages. His passions extend beyond languages, encompassing the creative realms of art, the rhythmic world of music, and the dynamic sphere of fashion.