Why fashion weeks are more than just runway shows.

Fashion weeks, like those in Milan or Paris aren't just glamorous runway shows, they are an example of culture, innovation, and trends. Designers use these events not just to showcase their creativity and innovation but also to show how sustainability, technology and lifestyle can be intertwined between them. For example, Milan Fashion Week 2025 highlighted a move away from post-pandemic loungewear, to get closer to polished tailoring, textures and wearable elegance.

Dolce&Gabbana Runway SS 2026
Dolce&Gabbana Runway SS 2026

This year fashion week was also a tribute to one of the biggest designers, Giorgio Armani, a true icon who has been influential in the shaping of global fashion during the past decades. His dedication to timeless elegance and minimalism left a legacy and his loss is deeply felt on the runway and outside the runway. Armani's work reminds everyone that fashion is not just trends, it is about artistry, vision and impact. As Armani once said: " Elegance is not about being noticed, it's about being remembered", and I am sure that he will be remembered for a long time.

Giorgio Armani
Giorgio Armani

Beyond the clothes, fashion weeks set the tone for global consumerism behavior, social media trends and style inspiration. Influencers, buyers, famous people and journalists all play a huge role in amplyfing these trends, this means that evverything goes viral in a matter of hours. At the same time these events open debates about accessibility and sustainability. Many critics argue that high fashion remains largely inaccessible to common people, both in term of price and availability. On the sustainability side, the fashion industry faces intense pressures to reduce waste, adopt eco-friendly materials, and rethink the methods of production, especially given the negative enviromental impact of fast fashion. Some designers are leading the way with innovative solutions, like upcycled fabrics, and slow fashion collections, showing that luxury and responsability can coexist.

Etro collection SS 2026
Etro collection SS 2026

What I like about Fashio nweeks is that through clothing they are able to influence and bring together people from all around the world. And sometimes this lead to amazing collaborations. In a way, we can say that these fashion shows act like a mirror of our society, reflecting our values and political statements just to name a few. In the following image I will show some collaboration from last year fashion week in Paris.

Paris Fashion Week SS 2025 Cecilie Banhsen X The North Face
Paris Fashion Week SS 2025 Cecilie Banhsen X The North Face
Paris Fashion Week SS 2025 Swarowski x Coperni
Paris Fashion Week SS 2025 Swarowski x Coperni

Ultimately, these conversations push the industry to not only showcase beautiful clothes but also reflect social and environmental awareness, proving that fashion weeks are about much more than aesthetics, they are platforms for shaping a more thoughtful and responsible future.

Fashion weeks show both creativity and challenges like accessibility and sustainability—what’s your take on how the industry should evolve?

Why fashion weeks are more than just runway shows.
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