The fifth edition of Catwalk Milan drew the curtains on Milan Fashion Week with a flourish of elegance, creativity, and compassion. Set within the refined Duomo Hall of the Excelsior Hotel Gallia, the event captured the very essence of Italian sophistication while embracing an international vision that seamlessly intertwined art, couture, and solidarity. The runway illuminated an afternoon dedicated to both established and emerging designers, each presenting a distinctive narrative of style and substance.
Jamal Taslaq enchanted the audience with Occirientale, a collection that united the aesthetics of Italian design with a universal message conveyed through Arabic script. His symbolic finale gown, inspired by the olive tree and inscribed with the word Humanity, stood as a poetic declaration of peace, dialogue, and resilience.
Alv by Alviero Martini offered a deeply nostalgic yet modern homage to an era of rediscovered grace. Evoking the couturiers of the 1950s and 1960s, the collection recalled a time when women, emerging from the hardships of post-war life, found confidence through hats, gloves, and perfectly coordinated accessories. Staying true to the designer’s guiding philosophy (Elegance, not extravagance) the line reinterpreted the essence of vintage refinement through a contemporary lens.
Antonella Bravi unveiled her 2026 collection as a tribute to the enduring legacy of Made in Italy silk. Her designs celebrated a blend of luxury, fluidity, and lightness, exploring high-end resort wear that embraces inclusivity and modest fashion. The silhouettes, both tailored and ethereal, spoke to a modern femininity that travels effortlessly through every setting (from leisure to formality), reaffirming Bravi’s role as a true ambassador of Italian elegance where tradition meets innovation.
Fabio Porliod brought to the runway his distinctive take on refined modern tailoring, a harmony of elegance, sensuality, and simplicity. Designed for cosmopolitan, confident women who value both culture and authenticity, his collection resonated with purpose. Known for his social engagement, Porliod continues to challenge the industry by featuring amputee models and women who have triumphed over cancer, transforming fashion into a statement of empowerment and resilience.
Otto & Mezzo Cashmere showcased its mastery of Italian craftsmanship under the creative direction of founder Giovanna Arnoldi. Since its inception in 2008, the brand has epitomised the pursuit of excellence through meticulously hand-finished garments crafted from Scottish yarns and Mongolian wools ethically sourced from sustainably raised goats. Each creation embodied timeless quality, a tangible expression of the brand’s philosophy that true elegance transcends trends.
The audience, an international ensemble of journalists, buyers, influencers, and distinguished guests, received the collections with enthusiasm, solidifying Catwalk Milan’s reputation as a vital stage for creativity and global exchange.
Organised under the patronage of AssoModa and Federmoda, the event reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to humanitarian causes through its partnership with Emergenza Sorrisi ETS. For more than fifteen years, this remarkable association has brought medical hope to children suffering from craniofacial malformations, burns, and trauma in crisis regions worldwide. A special fundraising initiative during the event allowed guests to directly contribute, underscoring the social dimension that lies at the heart of Catwalk Milan.
The celebration extended beyond fashion, enriched by hairstyling artistry from Casarpege by Marco Todaro and makeup direction from the MBA Makeup Academy led by Alessandro Gangi. Meanwhile, an art exhibition featuring works by Pavel Kir and Elena Giunco built an inspiring dialogue between visual art and couture. An exclusive cocktail reception concluded the evening, a tribute to Italy’s gastronomic excellence curated by Mad For Salento. The Apulian brand delighted guests with a selection of premium Made in Italy delicacies, showcasing authentic flavours that paid homage to the nation’s culinary traditions. The evening’s interviews and highlights were conducted by journalist and presenter Tania La Gatta, who will dedicate a thirty-minute television special to Catwalk Milan for the programme Extreme, airing in October.
Conceived by Gianluigi Resta, founder of GR Events C Communication, and directed by the acclaimed Titti Baiocchi, this milestone edition reaffirmed the project’s international scope. Following its triumphant Shanghai edition last May, Catwalk Milan now looks ahead to new stages: Zurich, Dubai, and Monte Carlo in 2026…before returning to China, furthering the dialogue between Italian creativity and global innovation. Together with his team, coordinated by Manuel William Resta, Gianluigi Resta oversaw every detail, from the elegant runway presentation to the exclusive after-party at The Plein Club, where official DJ MAUWI set the rhythm for a night of celebration.
With this fifth edition, Catwalk Milan once again demonstrated Italy’s unique ability to unite beauty and purpose, a country where fashion, artistry, and human compassion continue to walk hand in hand, offering the world a timeless vision of contemporary Made in Italy excellence.
Photo Credit: Sergio Sapiello
Article edited by Massimo Basile
Editor & Founder