What you need to know about Milan Fashion Week 2023: from Gucci, Prada, Fendi and Moschino shows to Kim Kardashian’s anticipated Ciao Kim line with D&G, and the first Black Carpet Awards

Feb 23 , 2023

A model presents a creation from the Fendi autumn/winter 2023-2024 collection during Milan Fashion Week in Milan, Italy, on February 22. Photo: Xinhua

Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi and Missoni are among Italy’s top labels showing at Milan Fashion Week this week, with the industry buoyed by bumper sales results despite war-fuelled economic uncertainty. The event will run from February 21 to February 27.

Here’s what you need to know and what to look out for this year …

Kim Kardashian will bring some celebrity stardust

Kim Kardashian posing in a glittering silver two-set ensemble. Photo: @kimkardashian/Instagram

The Kardashians reality TV star is expected to dazzle at an event hosted by D&G to celebrate her Ciao Kim line, which debuted in the northern Italian city in September.

Renowned brands such as Etro, Giorgio Armani, Prada, Bottega Veneta and Moschino are also among those showing their autumn/winter 2023-2024 collections, with 59 catwalk shows on the official schedule between now and February 27.

Models present creations by Etro from the women’s autumn/winter 2023-24 collection, during Milan Fashion Week, in Milan, Italy, on February 22. Photo: EPA-EFE

Also on the sidelines will be exhibitions by US video artist Bill Viola, and the late French fashion photographer Guy Bourdin, whose show is curated by Giorgio Armani.

The first Black Carpet Awards will take place on Friday

Nigerian fashion stylist Joy Ijeoma Meribe poses with a creation at the Afrofashion at Modes event during the Fashion Week in Milan, on February 22. Photo: AFP

The gala evening is organised by the Afro Fashion Association to celebrate diversity – the lack of which has long been an issue in Milan.

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Major luxury brands are flourishing

French luxury group LVMH chairman and chief executive officer Bernard Arnault addresses a presentation of the group’s 2022 results, with the group’s logo in the background, at the LVMH headquarters in Paris, on January 26. Photo: AFP

Despite the energy crisis and global uncertainty caused by the war in Ukraine, which erupted almost exactly one year ago, major luxury brands are flourishing.

French giant LVMH, whose Italian brands include Fendi, Bulgari and Loro Piana, reported a 23 per cent increase in sales and 17 per cent rise in net profit in 2022 – both records for the group.

France’s second-largest luxury group Kering saw profit climb 14 per cent last year despite a drop in fourth quarter earnings at its flagship Gucci, the company said on February 15. Photo: AFP

Meanwhile, rival Kering reported a 14 per cent rise in its net profit with sales up 15 per cent, despite poor performances by flagship brands Gucci and Balenciaga.

Figures from Italy’s national fashion chamber (CNMI) confirm the positive trend, with the sector recording better-than-expected revenues of US$104 billion (98.3 billion euros) in 2022, up 18 per cent on the previous year.

“Growth like that of 2022 was exceptional,” reflecting a boost after the pandemic, said fashion chamber head Carlo Capasa.

Visitors walk past a Gucci store at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, on January 19. Photo: Reuters

While lower gas prices and hopes of cooling inflation have fuelled hopes of a good 2023, the fashion chamber is cautiously predicting four per cent growth, closer to pre-pandemic levels.

“Perhaps we could do even better but there is a war on Europe’s doorstep, uncertainty about energy costs – and we hope that China is out of the pandemic,” Capasa told reporters on Tuesday.

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Sabato De Sarno, who will assume the role of creative director at Gucci. Photo: AP

Gucci’s figures were hurt by the weak Chinese market, where coronavirus restrictions that have crimped shopping habits were only lifted in December.

Sales fell 11 per cent during the fourth quarter at Gucci, where Sabato De Sarno was named new creative director in January following the surprise resignation of Alessandro Michele in November.

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Milan Fashion Week

Milan Fashion Week has kicked off with a bang, as Italy’s top labels Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi and Missoni show off style and sophistication for autumn/winter 2023-24
There will be 59 catwalk shows between February 21 and February 27, from Giorgio Armani to Bottega Veneta, with the major fashion event taking place after news of LVMH and Kering’s record profits