Milan fashion show to launch with tightened schedule

After New York and London, Milan picks up the thread of the international fashion circuit Wednesday with a tighter schedule for the main shows to meet the needs of buyers and journalists.

Several thousand buyers from around 40 countries are expected in Milan as well as 2,000 journalists. Many of them will then move on to the Paris shows, which stretches over nine days, from March 2 to 10.

The tighter-than-usual event comes after fashion maven Anna Wintour, editor of the American Vogue magazine, put Italian noses out of joint this month when it emerged that she could only spare three days for Milan, rather than the full week.

"No one, even if she is called Anna Wintour, can allow themselves to make or unmake our fashion calendar," Letizia Moratti, the mayor of Milan, told Italian reporters, calling for a united front against such pressure.

Wintour, who served as the inspiration for the book and subsequent film "The Devil Wears Prada" which features the fearsome head of a fashion magazine, is regarded by many as the most influential person in the industry.

Mario Boselli, president of the Italian National Fashion Chamber (CNMI), also said that designers should keep in mind their own strength and not give in to pressure from the "foreign press".

But the main fashion shows have nevertheless been reorganised over four days.

This year, young Italian stylists will open the Milan fashion week with a show bringing together several newcomers who won their place on the catwalk in a competition.

Young designers who have broken through in recent years will also feature.

Thursday will include shows by Dolce&Gabbana, Fendi and Prada, while the highlight of Friday's shows will be from Gianfranco Ferre, Versace and Jil Sander.

Bottega Veneta, Max Mara, Armani and Gucci will follow Saturday, with Marni, Roberto Cavalli and Missoni giving their shows on Sunday.

While there will be other shows on Monday, none of the big names will take part.

The Milan show will feature some 200 collections from Italian and foreign designers, featuring ready-to-wear women's clothing for the autumn season.

While many designers will stage the traditional catwalk shows, others have chosen to present their collections in showrooms or by appointment.

In this rather more economic proposition, the clothes and accessories are presented much as they would be in a shop.

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
News in pictures
World news in pictures
Life & Style blogs

Your chance to live in Winnie the Pooh’s home

Plus London's buy-to-let hotspots and a new property portal

How can the mortgage market recovery be helped?

Guest post by Richard Sexton, business development director of e.surv chartered surveyors

Where do most millionaires live in the UK?

Plus lateral thinking and living on London's waterways

       

ES Rentals

    Day In a Page

    James Pembroke: The man who's eaten everywhere

    The man who's eaten everywhere

    Few people know more about restaurants than James Pembroke, who only spent five mealtimes at home during his entire childhood.
    A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?

    A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?

    The young JFK praised 'superior' Nordic races during visits to Germany
    Banned Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof to attend Cannes Film Festival 2013, his first public appearance since prison

    Banned Iranian director to attend Cannes Film Festival

    Mohammad Rasoulof to make his first public appearance since being imprisoned three years ago
    Seeing the larger picture: Inspiring images of space

    Seeing the larger picture: Inspiring images of space

    An exhibition explores images how photography has shaped astronomy
    Eat Spam and carry on: Wartime pamphlets could teach us a thing or two about healthy, thrifty eating

    Eat Spam and carry on

    Wartime pamphlets could teach us a thing or two about healthy, thrifty eating
    Facial hair: Cat beards and the purrrsuit of excellence

    Facial hair

    Cat beards and the purrrsuit of excellence
    The 10 Best salt and pepper sets

    The 10 Best salt and pepper sets

    Whether they're for everyday use or to make your dining table look just right, it's worth getting a stylish shaker...
    Ferran Soriano: Predicting success if Manchester City 'vision' is followed

    Ferran Soriano: Predicting success if Manchester City 'vision' is followed

    Chief executive says trophies will come if a 'core' of suitable players is in place
    Thomas Müller: We couldn't handle losing a Champions League Final again

    Thomas Müller: We couldn't handle losing a Champions League Final again

    The Bayern Munich forward tells Tim Rich his side have to shed chokers' tag after two recent final defeats
    Giro d'Italia: The Stelvio Pass - cycling's killer climb

    The Stelvio Pass - cycling's killer climb

    As the Giro d'Italia tackles the brutal climb, Simon Usborne takes on the snow and switchbacks – and soon realises what the fuss is about
    National archives: Edward VIII’s phone calls - and how MI5 bugged them

    Edward VIII’s phone calls - and how MI5 bugged them

    Newly unearthed papers reveal a shocking extra dimension to the constitutional crisis over monarch’s abdication
    Sent down at the Old Bailey: A tour of the world's most famous court

    Sent down at the Old Bailey

    A tour of the world's most famous court
    Hollywood's random acts of red-carpet kindness

    Hollywood's random acts of red-carpet kindness

    The Hangover actor Zach Galifianakis’s date for his movie premieres isn’t arm candy  – it’s his 87-year-old friend who he saved from homelessness
    British football scores an own goal

    British football scores an own goal

    Many managers barely survive a year in post. Martin Baker talks to experts who make a case for clubs using forensic business skills to find the best staff
    James Lawton: Sergio Garcia cracks as major fault line opens up again

    James Lawton

    Sergio Garcia cracks as major fault line opens up again