MILAN SPRING 2023 SHOWS HAD PLENTY OF VIRAL MOMENTS
Seeing Double at Gucci’s Spring 2023 Show called Twinburg. (Photo Credit: Shutterstock)
Ciao bella! Milan Fashion week wrapped up on September 26th, and the events were back to pre-pandemic levels with plenty of IRL runway shows, parties and oh so many celebrities. The fashion was spectacular as Italians have a flare for the dramatic, ranging from exquisite embroideries to bold clashing prints, perhaps as a reaction to looming uncertainty around the world. MFW was also the backdrop of Italy’s general elections which provoked a tense social and political debate in the country as far-right leader Giorgia Meloni claimed victory in Italy’s election and is on course to become the country’s first female prime minister. “Italians have sent a clear message in favor of a right-wing government led by Brothers of Italy,” she told reporters in Rome, holding up a sign saying, “Thank you Italy”.
Leader of Brothers of Italy, Giorgia Meloni is Italy’s first female prime minister. (Photo Credit: Reuters)
Milan Fashion Week has an official tagline for their Spring 2023 season: When things get tough, sometimes all you need is a good distraction. And there were plenty of great distractions from doppelgänger styling at Gucci to chaotic collapsing models at Avavav, shock-factor fashion was in full effect.
Avavav’s Beate Karlsson had her models fall down the runway. (Photo Credit: Paper Magazine)
From head-turning stunts to more-is-more troupes, Milan Fashion Week Spring 2023 set a standard for meme-worthy material. For starters, there was Gucci’s Spring 2023 Show titled Twinsburg. Creative director Alessandro Michele sent 68 sets of identical twins down the runway with clashing patterns, flashy sequins, low-slung skirts and other-worldly accessories, the maximalist collection was an unrestricted exploration of identity.
Seeing Double at Gucci’s Spring 2023 Show called Twinburg. (Photo Credit: Gucci)
Donatella Versace embraced the Y2K trend as she had Paris Hilton strut down the runway in a hot pink sparkling dress. Quoting Paris Hilton’s catchphrase, “That’s hot”.
Paris Hilton walks the runway during Versace’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Imaxtree)
Versace was not the only designer to embrace a reality star, Dolce & Gabbana had Kim Kardashian curate their spring 2023 show. The collection titled “Ciao Kim” was filled with corsets, gauzy dresses and leopard prints pulled from the 1987 to 2007 archives as they reissued past hits. “It was a dream come true to see all the originals being made, after all these years it’s stuff we would wear today,” Kim Kardashian said in an interview with The Guardian.
Kim Kardashian takes a bow after her collaboration Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Shutterstock)
Boss’ creative director Marco Falcioni was also feeling nostalgic this season as he had nineties supermodel Naomi Campbell open his show, which was filled with a softer take on the power suit.
Naomi Campbell opened the BOSS’ Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Boss)
Campbell was not the only Nineties supermodel to strut down the runway in Milan. Her dear friend Kate Moss walked Bottega Veneta’s show in a leather lumberjack shirt and delivered leather chinos in ultra-light supremely soft nubuck that had to be touched to be believed.
Kate Moss walks Bottega Veneta’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
He may be 88 years old, but Giorgio Armani can still produce a fashion moment. With Armani muses Cate Blanchett and Lauren Hutton praising him from the front row, his show finale transformed into something of a salon show, as nine models in embellished evening gowns stopped so the exquisiteness of construction could be rightfully admired.
Designer Giorgio Armani flanked by his models at his Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Shutterstock)
On the last day of Milan Fashion Week, Burberry hosted its anticipated collection at a warehouse in London, inviting a star-studded list of attendees both on (Naomi Campbell, Bella Hadid, Mariacarla Boscono) and off (Kanye West, Erykah Badu, Normani) the runway.
Bella Hadid at Burberry’s Spring 2023 Show. Riccardo Tisci’s last collection for the house. (Photo Credit: Getty Image
This was Ricardo Tisci’s swan song as it was announced on Sept. 28th that Tisci is stepping down from his role as creative director for Burberry and Daniel Lee will take the reign on Oct. 3rd.
According to Tisci, Burberry’s Spring 2023 collection was inspired by the beach, which Tisci explained in a press release as “as a place where humanity meets, a point where different worlds collide.”
“In summer, in Britain, the beach is a place of democracy, of community. It’s where people from all cultures can in simple pleasures. I wanted to translate that ideology — that emotion — to an entire collection. I wanted to express that spirit of togetherness and joy, that reality,” Tisci stated. “That tension between dressing and undressing, between revelation and protection, underwear and outerwear, all feels relevant to now and part of Burberry’s modern DNA… I was inspired by the liberation and openness of youth, of people embracing their bodies and revealing them – a pride in themselves, who they are, their identities. Their freedom. This feels modern, this feels right, and this feels Burberry.”
While there were so many show-stopping moments during Milan Fashion Week, here are a few of the season’s breakout trends.
POOLSIDE PARTY
Designers are diving headfirst into poolside style this spring 2023 season. With plenty of swimsuits, cover-ups, and sunhats, these pieces are brimming with aquatic flavor. Moschino took the trend a step further with children’s swim floats wrapped over evening gowns.
A look from Moschino’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
A look from Ferragamo’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
A look from Max Mara’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
A look from MSGM’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
A look from Dsquared2’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
A look from Luisa Beccaria’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
THE BLING RING
No-one does sparkle and embellishments like the Italians and this season was full of shiny new promises.
A look from Gucci’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
A look from Roberto Cavalli’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
A look from Moschino’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
A look from Jil Sander’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
A look from Dolce & Gabbana’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
A look from Del Core’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
FLOWER POWER
Florals for spring….groundbreaking. Well, this season designers added flare to floral motifs with bold dimensional flowers on everything from evening gowns to pencil skirts.
A look from Prada’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
A look from Bottega Veneta’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
A look from MSGM’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
A look from GCDS’ Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
A look from Dolce & Gabbana’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
GOTHIC DIVINE
Channeling all high priestesses, designers in Milan have heard your prayers and delivered wickedly goth inspired looks. From Versace’s goddesses gone grunge looks to Blumarine’s denim crosses, these dark, romantic looks are a fresh take for spring.
A look from Blumarine’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
A look from Versace’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
A look from MSGM’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
A look from Prada’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
A look from Antonio Marras’ Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
SHEER FACTOR
The transparency trend is still going strong, and the Milan runways offered plenty of variations from sheer skirts to peak-a-boo dresses.
A look from Fendi’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
A look from Missoni’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
A look from Prada’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
A look from Roberto Cavalli’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
A look from Alberta Ferretti’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue.)
FRINGE WATCH
Playful fringe looks took center stage on the Milan runways. From Jil Sander’s knit and sequence fringe skirts to Diesel’s denim trucker jacket, one things for sure, loose threads never looked so good.
A look from Bottega Venetta’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
A look from Giorgio Armani’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
A look from Jil Sander’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
A look from Sportmax’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
A look from Diesel’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
A look from Versace’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
FIT TO PRINT
Opposites attract as clashing prints made their mark on plenty of designer runways.
A look from Dsquared2’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
A look from Etro’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
A look from Matty Bovan’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
A look from Versace’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
A look from Roberto Cavalli’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
Looks from Gucci’s Spring 2023 Show. )Photo Credit: Vogue)
IN THE HOOD
This season, there was a fine line between sci-fi and streetwear when it came to evening wear as hooded gowns made their mark on the runway.
A look from Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
A look from Alberta Ferretti’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
A look from Versace’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
A look from Diesel’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
A look from Ferragamo’s Spring 2023 Show. (Photo Credit: Vogue)
So tell us, what are your favorite trends so far?
Sign-up for our newsletter
Join our newsletter to receive updates on future blog posts, special deals, and new lessons. Also visit the main webpage to check out all of our video lessons.
