Prada and Dolce’s Milan Takeover

Wake up baby, Milan Men's Fashion Week has arrived! Held from the 17th to the

21st of January in (well) Milan, this whirlwind of creativity has been my ultimate cure

for the post-holiday slump and the January blues. Though this year’s schedule was

slightly shorter, the shows still delivered in full force, with Prada and Dolce &

Gabbana stealing the spotlight.

Prada's show, led by co-creative directors Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons, was a

masterclass in eclecticism. The collection embraced raw, uninhibited, instinctual

dressing, featuring ‘primitive’ faux fur elements, pyjama sets, and cowboy boots.

Backstage, this diverse mix was described as a move towards humanity, and the

runway’s striking design – an intricated tower of scaffoldings designed by architect

Rem Koolhaas – only amplified that vision. A fusion of nightclub lighting and art

nouveau elements set the perfect stage for sharply tailored skinny trousers,

oversized silhouettes, and suits worn without shirts, Prada’s latest attempt at

effortless confidence and breaking the fashion rulebook.

Dolce & Gabbana's presentation took inspiration from the golden age of Italian

cinema, bringing La Dolce Vita to the runway. Models strutted in denim jeans paired

with striking outerwear, from faux fur collars to leather trench coats, perfectly

capturing the glamour and allure of the era. The designers seamlessly mixed casual

daywear with sophisticated evening attire, combining knitwear with contemporary

cargo pants, adorning formal suits with silk scarves, dramatic lapels, and crystal

brooches. This fusion of casual and formal elements paid homage to the brand’s

Italian heritage while embracing modern and youthful sensibilities.

Both collections showcased the designers' ability to blend heritage with innovation,

offering fresh perspectives on men's fashion, and reaffirming, at the same time, Milan

as a global fashion capital. With the fashion world turning its focus to Paris, my must-

watch picks for the upcoming week include Acne Studios, Issey Miyake and Ziggy

Chen.

Words by Mia Kilpatrick she/her