WEEKLY ROUND-UP: Pop Culture, Fashion And Beauty Moments On Our Radar

A Symphony of Style, Craft, and Innovation at the Milan Fashion Week

Federico Cina
The Milan Fashion Week FW25-26 menswear season opened with jaw-droppingly striking showcases redefining fashion narratives in an ultimate obsessive style.

The fashion week opened with Federico Cina with a presentation at Fondazione Sozzani that felt more like a performance art installation than a runway show. Models performed daily rituals in plywood boxes, highlighting a collection inspired by Cina’s grandparents, “Assunta and Giacomo” as a fashion remembrance, recalling how they dressed for work, special occasions or events.

The collection featured industrial wool and structured tailoring, blending personal nostalgia with modernity. The chilly and sunny winter afternoon, with the venue that was a part of the Fondazione Sozzaniunderscored Milan’s evolution as a hub of cultural and fashion innovation with the whole setting feeling like an art installation by Marina Abramović. The show was everything about celebration,  remembrance and Cina’s inspiration for his grandparents’ world.

Emporio Armani

It was this Saturday evening when Emporio Armani took the audience on a rugged yet glamorous journey straight from the Dolomites and the Alpine Mountains. Opening with a mountaineering-inspired theme, models in nylon pants, massive frilled scarves, hiking boots, enormous backpacks and puffers carried ropes and ice picks, creating the ultimate mountain mood in a palette featuring bold hues of yellow, purple, and orange. The show then suddenly transitions to urban elegance with relaxed Armani looks presenting velvet three-piece suits in silvery swamp green and shiny anthracite with one-button jackets, wrap-around gilets and puffy high-waisted pleated pants.

Another addition was faux fur “animalier” outerwear, a term he coined for his long-haired cheetah blouson, a shaggy wolf aviator jacket, all sorts of furry scarves or collars, coats or trench coats cut like A-line capes with classic Italian tailoring showcasing Armani’s ability to balance functionality and luxury.  The background was surreal with a great soundtrack blending space funk with Arabian Gulf trance, heightened by embroidered tuxedos, Nehru hats, French berets, Malaysian fishermen’s caps, worn leather coats and worker jackets, to which the audience all applauded celebrating Armani’s versatile vision and his proud and impulsive experimentation. 

Prada

Prada, directed by Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons, delivered a collection blending minimalism with eccentricity, truly keeping it clever, concise and cool. Dark, zigzag runway with metal poles, almost a minimalist trance, with models rapidly marching through in a dark setting, it was a show that featured basketball and pearl earrings, cowboy boots in bold prints, coats cut with ample shoulder space and notched lapels, tanks, leather suits with white leather pajamas,  cut and dyed like wild fur and faux fur details in canary yellow, off-white, blood orange and in faded flower prints that dominated the runway, set against a maze-like tubular installation at Prada Deposito. 

The trousers were pleated and tapered at the ankle. It was about instinctive thinking; human, wild and a cinematic feeling Though visually impactful, the collection lacked Prada’s usual groundbreaking innovation, but just enough to make the brand and Milan the epicentre of epic cool.

Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana channelled cinematic nostalgia with “Paparazzi,” inspired by Federico Fellini’s 1960 masterpiece, La Dolce Vita where he had the surname, Paparazzi. The collection was inspired by the heroic days of Italian cinema. Faux fur coats and red-carpet-worthy velvet suits exuded glamour, matinee idol silk barathea pants, Nehru jackets and cashmere suits added refined versatility double lapel tuxedos and eight-inch-wide cummerbunds and lightly wrap-around Nehru jackets, finished by triple silver strass buttons with long collared jumpers all reeked class.

The models all made their entrance through two phalanxes of over 50 models in classic black suits, waving flashing cameras, like busy paparazzi at a red carpet event with the runway as red as it could get. The star-studded audience included James McAvoy, Lucien Laviscount, and K-drama stars, highlighting the brand’s global appeal.

Saul Nash

Lastly, Saul Nash, a London-based designer and dancer made his Milan debut with a dynamic collection emphasizing movement. Known for his genderless athleisure, Nash impressed with nylon and cotton jersey, parkas, denim prints, deep-pocketed dude-style flight jackets, jumpsuits with diagonal collars, and semi-sheer nylon surgeons’ smocks. The pants and prints on the fabrics all suggest movement and showcase the designer’s vision for the theme. Nash, a graduate from Central Saint Martins, London, is noted for his individualistic approach to fashion, and his play with genderless athleisure clothing. His Pacific blue microfiber parkas, with matching obis and cummerbunds, and tech jackets with built-in hoods all staged in a former factory culminated in a standing ovation, affirming his status as a rising force in menswear.

Milan Fashion Week 25-26 highlighted a diverse blend of tradition, experimentation, and innovation, solidifying the city’s stature as a global fashion epicentre.

Posse x Moda Operandi: A Capsule of Elegance and Sustainability

Australian ready-to-wear label Posse has collaborated with luxury retailer Moda Operandi to launch an exclusive capsule collection, blending timeless elegance with sustainable craftsmanship. Helmed by Posse’s founder, Danielle Mulham, the collection features 16 styles, including airy ensembles, sheer knitwear, and signature Posse staples in a neutral palette with sustainability taking centre stage with materials like OEKO-TEX-certified European flax linen, BCI-certified cotton, and innovative blends of Tencel/Wool and Viscose/Polyester.

Inspired by the quintessential Moda girl aesthetic, the collection debuted through a campaign shot in the picturesque town of Aix-en-Provence, France and is designed for vacation and spring wardrobes, reflecting a thoughtful collaboration between Posse and Moda Operandi, with close attention to colours, fabrics, and silhouettes to resonate with the modern woman’s lifestyle celebrating a long-standing relationship, the collaboration also revisits the success of Posse’s previous Moda-exclusive designs, such as Sofia Richie’s viral white linen set. Available exclusively on Moda Operandi and Posse’s websites, this launch reinforces their commitment to accessible luxury and eco-conscious fashion.

Vivienne Westwood SS25: Juergen Teller Captures Spirit and Elegance

For its Spring/Summer 25 campaign, Vivienne Westwood enlists renowned photographer Juergen Teller, continuing the brand’s tradition of high-profile collaborations featuring playful sets and dynamic backdrops by Bernhard Willhelm, creating an eclectic visual narrative.

Drawing inspiration from icons like Diana Vreeland, Marlene Dietrich, and Madeleine Vionnet, the imagery blends vibrant reds and purples with elements like tulle and jungle motifs, symbolizing the harmony of natural and artistic elegance with the creative chief Andreas Kronthaler emphasising the campaign’s ethos, suggesting fashion is about beauty and joy that links us to each other, which is important for the world we live in. Kronthaler himself features in the campaign alongside models Tish Weinstock, Luc Defont-Saviard, and Rafe Crane, with styling by Sabrina Schreder and hair by Sam McKnight encapsulating the bold, avant-garde spirit of Vivienne Westwood, celebrating individuality and creative expression.

Mr Porter Unveils ‘The New Essentials’ Capsule Collection for 2025

Luxury menswear brand Mr Porter, part of YNAP, has kicked off the year 2025 with its The New Essentials campaign, exhibiting a curated collection of versatile wardrobe staples designed to build the ultimate capsule wardrobe. The 44-piece edit blends modern tailoring with elevated essentials, championing both investment pieces and timeless customer favourites and features standout brands such as Bottega Veneta, Saint Laurent, and Tom Ford, alongside popular labels like Mr P and The Elder Statesman including sharp Saman Amel tailoring, Saint Laurent denim, and sophisticated outerwear and knitwear by Stòffa and Bode. Accessories from Tom Ford, Drake’s, and Métier further enhance the collection’s refined appeal underscoring Mr Porter’s position as the men’s luxury style destination, showcasing unrivaled seasonal updates and reaffirming its expertise in curating exceptionally crafted pieces from the world’s most coveted designers. The inclusion of Tom Ford accessories is particularly noteworthy, following the brand’s exclusive collaboration with Mr Porter in November, which featured a men’s evening capsule collection for the holiday season.

This campaign cements Mr Porter’s reputation as the go-to destination for timeless, impeccably crafted menswear, catering to the modern man’s sophisticated lifestyle.

MM6 Maison Margiela Illuminates Menswear at Pitti Uomo

As the special guest at Pitti Uomo 107, MM6 Maison Margiela captivated audiences with a striking menswear showcase. Set in Florence’s Tepidarium Giacomo Roster, a grand Art Nouveau greenhouse, the show blended a gritty, nocturnal atmosphere with haunting elegance with models evoking the mystique of misunderstood poets and rock stars, dressed in predominantly black ensembles, enhanced by dramatic lighting. 

The FW25-26 collection, designed for life in the spotlight, featured innovative textures and bold silhouettes including black denim suits washed with light effects, shimmering lurex turtlenecks, and a three-piece velvet suit adorned with printed stars, faux-leather linen jackets and metallic-effect outerwear that demonstrate MM6’s mastery of material experimentation. As for the accessories, square-toed footwear modular gloves and a trumpet-shaped travel bag added to the collection’s theatrical yet wearable appeal. Inspired by jazz icon Miles Davis, the collection channelled his effortlessly cool and sensual energy with MM6’s anonymous design, crafting a contemporary menswear wardrobe rooted in glamour and minimalism while emphasizing individuality.

MM6’s showcase at Pitti Uomo affirmed its innovative vision as the brand continues its momentum in Milan this February with a womenswear-focused show featuring select men’s looks.

Setchu Unites East and West in Debut Pitti Uomo Runway Show

Setchu, the indie brand led by 2023 LVMH Prize winner Satoshi Kuwata, made a striking runway debut at Pitti Uomo with its Tokyo on the Arno collection. Held in Florence’s National Library, the show highlighted Kuwata’s masterful fusion of Japanese and European design influences. This debut, which Kuwata announced as his first and last catwalk presentation, was a thoughtful exploration of cultural and sartorial contrasts that showed his expertise in tailoring, honed during his training on Savile Row. Gentlemen’s blazers, intricately designed with intentional creases inspired by kimono aesthetics, paired harmoniously with European silhouettes like tartan skirts and trousers and innovative pieces such as deconstructed grey jersey ensembles, kimono-inspired peacoats, and denim made with paper fibres with a bold Tale of Genji jacquard silk jacket adorned with a provocative octopus-geisha print and multicoloured Mongolian lamb coats were outstanding and his penchant for detail extended to an accompanying installation of folded garments, sketches, and historical Japanese art. 

With his cerebral and commercially viable designs, Kuwata positions Milan-based Setchu as a brand redefining fashion by creating a culture in this East-meets-West ethos with a dinner blending Japanese and Tuscan cuisines, embodying Setchu’s unique global narrative.

Louis Vuitton SS25 Campaign Stars Saoirse Ronan and Lisa in Surreal Landscapes

Louis Vuitton’s Spring/Summer 25 campaign appoints house ambassadors Saoirse Ronan and Lisa of Blackpink, blending fashion with conceptual art, marking Ronan’s LV debut, the campaign is set against French artist Laurent Grasso’s surreal paintings and was shot by Steven Meisel. It reflects the vision of LV’s women’s artistic director Nicolas Ghesquière, whose runway show featured Grasso’s otherworldly landscapes of floating spheres and fiery torches.

Grasso’s artwork for the campaign includes pieces from his Studies into the Past series, featuring surreal elements like black rectangles that reshape untouched natural backdrops balancing Renaissance-inspired compositions with a dynamic modernity, portraying the stars in statement looks from the SS25 collection.

Ronan and Lisa embody the soft power that inspired the collection. Ronan, a four-time Oscar nominee, is renowned for roles in Atonement, Little Women, Lady Bird, Steve McQueen’s Blitz and The Outrun, which she also produced. Lisa, a K-pop phenomenon, broke records with her solo hit Money and boasts over 98 million Instagram followers. She will make her acting debut in The White Lotus Season 3, thus, making both the stars perfect for the brand’s vision and campaign seamlessly merging LV’s contemporary vision with the timeless allure of its ambassadors.

Victor Belmondo Becomes Berluti’s New Face 

Luxury menswear brand Berluti has named actor Victor Belmondo as its new ambassador, highlighting their shared French-Italian heritage and timeless sophistication through an announcement made on Instagram, celebrating Belmondo’s embodiment of the Maison’s blend of tradition and modernity.

Belmondo debuts his partnership through Berluti’s SS25 collection, which reimagines menswear classics around the brand’s iconic footwear with styles like the Alessandro, Andy, Oslo, and Escale loafer, complemented by refined leather accessories and elevated RTW pieces. The collection’s palette features shades like Blu Minerale, Arancio Vermiglio, Legno Bruciato, and Appennini that draw inspiration from Italian craftsmanship. Belmondo personifies Berluti’s spirit and heritage that is fused with modernity and elegance paired with audacity. Together, they create a dialogue between generations, reinventing classic style codes with fresh simplicity. Belmondo, grandson of legendary actor Jean-Paul Belmondo, recently starred in To Live, to Die, to Live Again and Breaking Point. This collaboration underscores Berluti’s commitment to honouring its legacy while redefining modern menswear with youthful charm and enduring elegance.

New York Fashion Week FW25 Welcomes Big Names and Fresh Talent

The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) has unveiled the February schedule for New York Fashion Week (NYFW) FW25, featuring the return of prominent designers and exciting new talent. Running from February 6 to February 11, the event will kick off with Brandon Maxwell’s show and conclude with Thom Browne’s showcase with high-profile names returning to NYFW including Calvin Klein, Altuzarra, Norma Kamali, and Theory. Designers Veronica Leoni, Christopher John Rogers, Fforme, and Lapointe will also make notable comebacks as well as first-time participants like Alexis Bittar, Gabe Gordon, LEBLANCSTUDIOS, and Zoe Gustavia Anna Whalen, adding fresh perspectives to the lineup with over 54 runway shows, and additional presentations offered digitally and by appointment with collections from Anna Sui, Carolina Herrera, Coach, Michael Kors, Tory Burch, and LaQuan Smith, among others.

This season will also see a unique collaboration as GQ and Emily Adams Bode Aujla unveil the 2025 BODE REC collection at the GQ Bowl in New Orleans.

The CFDA, founded in 1962, continues its efforts to amplify NYFW’s cultural and economic impact through initiatives like the NYFW Travel Fund, which supports international editors suggesting that this season truly embodies themes of calibration and innovation. 

Guess Jeans Enters Indian Market with Tata Cliq Partnership

Guess has announced the launch of its iconic denim and lifestyle brand, Guess Jeans, in India through a partnership with Tata Group’s e-commerce platform, Tata Cliq. This collaboration marks Guess Jeans’ return to the Indian market with an omnichannel retail strategy, encompassing both online and physical stores with Tata Cliq serving as the exclusive retailer for Guess Jeans in India, as part of a long-term franchise agreement.

The launch is a significant step in Guess’ global growth plan, with emphasis on the synergy between Guess Jeans’ legacy of innovative denim and the Tata Group’s deep market expertise that aims to attract Indian consumers with accessible pricing, a casual aesthetic, and modern marketing, including the introduction of Guess’ innovative Guess Airwash™ technology. The partnership is expected to strategically strengthen Guess Jeans’ presence across India by building a comprehensive store network and engaging with a broader customer base bringing a fresh wave of trendy, high-quality fashion to the market.