The Milan Fashion Week has drawn its curtains, leaving the city’s historic centre vibrant with the artistic expressions of the fashion industry. From photoshoots and social stories to live presentations on the runway, Milan always upheld its status as the global epicentre of glamour.
On September 23rd, within the enchanting interiors of “Fondazione Stelline” Palace, the GX Fashion Week unfolded, a masterpiece orchestrated by the esteemed Gentiana Dervishi, a well-known and respected figure in the industry and the president of Showteam Association. The association had meticulously organized and conceived an event with success written all over it.
The succession of runway shows attracted a distinguished audience, comprising journalists, bloggers, buyers, and influencers who had gathered in Milan from across the globe for this international rendezvous, an annual highlight during Milan’s fashion week.
Renowned designers showcased their latest trends and artisanal, sustainable innovations, capturing the audience and critics with their elegantly unique creations. Their distinctive style and expertise in combining elements solidified unforgettable, one-of-a-kind pieces that anticipated future trends. Their offerings were praised for their originality.
Gentiana Dervishi, beyond being a creative force, emerged as an inspiration for the industry. Her dedication to environmental sustainability and fairness in labour garnered admiration from many within the fashion industry. She demonstrated that glamour can coexist with ethics by promoting sustainable materials. Alessio Marrari, a prominent blogger and communicator, assumed the role of the presenter, managing perfectly the GX Fashion Week in all its aspects.
Owana Lima, representing the NICTEEL brand, a leading Guatemalan figure acknowledged among the 150 most influential women in Central America and the top 50 influential women in Guatemala, enthralled the audience at the Palazzo della Fondazione Stelline. Lima presented a collection that intertwined tradition with dynamism and sustainability.
Umberto Perrera, the designer behind Sartoria Perrera, with over eighty years of age and sixty years of experience in the craft, conveyed a positive message of technological innovation in textiles. He showcased how professional rejuvenation is possible in creating exquisite garments.
Claudia Cinzia Atella, the designer for Claude Couture Creation, hailing from Cagliari with southern origins, showcased a collection inspired by the latest book by Alberto Cocco, a television journalist, titled “Il Calendario degli Animali.” The collection associated the wonders created by Cocco with the silent sensitivity of animals, presenting a strange yet intriguing and stimulating fusion of elements.
Francisco Rodríguez, under the brand Faraón, a Dominican, affirmed his significant presence with a rich career that earned him numerous accolades and awards. He has held important positions, including being a Fashion Design consultant for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and President of the Association of Chacabana Artisans of the Dominican Republic. He is regarded as a pioneer in the new concept of “cha cabana,” presenting his collections that mesmerized the audience.
Cristian Fortunato, representing Holamosa and hailing from Palermo, Sicily, creatively reinterpreted the identity of collections, breaking free from territorial norms and mixing classic fashion with vibrant pastel colours. He presented an incomparable and unique collection to the audience under the theme “One Day Only Milan” for Spring/Summer 2024, revisiting and reinventing classic fashion with sartorial elements.
Elsida Pepa, an Albanian designer and a professor at the Albanian Design Academy, dedicated her entire collection to her mother, titled “A Great Love Like You, Mother,” as a gift for her sixtieth birthday and her forty years in the fashion industry. A daughter of the art, she stunned the audience with virtuous creations that set an example for all, blending technology, innovation, tradition, and respect for family, placing values at the forefront.
Sonila Harizi, an Albanian designer behind the DSA Dream Store Albania brand, has been managing a men’s clothing business for 25 years. Her venture into women’s fashion with magnificent ceremonial dresses has garnered resonance in Eastern Europe and the Balkan countries. She emphasized direct engagement with customers, studying their tastes and trends to choose fabrics and artistic combinations for tailored designs meticulously.
Fouad Guerfi, Algerian designer under the brand Maison de Couture, after years of apprenticeship in his hometown Batna, a place flourishing with local craftsmanship, pursued education in prestigious Parisian haute couture schools. He created his first brand in 1990 and achieved success in Paris and Washington. His theme “You Better Fly butterfly” revisited traditional costumes from various regions of Algeria.
Margarita Kola, Albanian designer under the brand Atelier Margot, showcased her collection dedicated to strong women. With decades of experience and training in her home country and further honing her skills in Greece, where she lived for a considerable period, she has produced for major designers and seen her garments promoted worldwide.
Flora Cappucci, an associated designer with Showteam, designed a captivating, entirely artisanal gown for Gentiana Dervishi. The masterpiece gown resonated with the enchantment of “One Thousand and One Nights.”
The hair and make-up coordinators, Armanda Cerbella, Corrado Costanzo and Daniela Zeqo, played a crucial role, ensuring that the models gracing the runway were impeccably presented, perfectly capturing the mood created by APS Showteam. Their exceptional collaboration and teamwork were evident, contributing to one of the essential aesthetic components of the event.
They were ably assisted by Alessia Xhafa, Arta Kola, Vjollca Bregu, Giulia Stracquadagno, Silvana Merkoqi, Mina D’Andrea, Roberta Secchi, Renata Korzeniewska, Maria Letizia Franzoni, Stefania Zanotti. The esteemed Franklin Santana served as the coordinator of the models. The extensive team of photographers, led by Arentina Kola and Nicola Giordano, ensured the event was extensively documented.
The GX Fashion Week in Milan was not just a celebration of fashion, but a tapestry of artistry, innovation, sustainability, and dedication to craftsmanship. The event showcased the vision and creativity of these exceptional designers, leaving an indelible mark on the global fashion stage.
Article edited by Massimo Basile
Editorial Director