FASHION WEEK EDIT:
Prada, Gucci, Versace - oh my! If you hear of a brand redefining the fashion world? There’s a good chance they hail from Italy. Ultra-loud and ultra-luxe, the fashion blueprint was written on the streets of Milan. Heavyweights like Prada and Gucci have been writing the luxury playbook since day one, and fashion-set favourites Dolce&Gabbana and Versace invented the It girl. As for Diesel and Miu Miu? They’ve continued to deliver Italian luxury for the new generation time and time again. And Bottega Veneta? It's the name on everyone's lips right now, thanks in no small part to its newly appointed creative director Louise Trotter. Aka, a fashion genius.
In honour of Milan Fashion Week, we’re shining a spotlight on the most iconic Italian luxury brands of all time. From Bottega Veneta to Valentino, here’s your cheat sheet to the country’s finest.
Bottega Veneta is a powerhouse in the world of luxury fashion. Over the past few years, the brand has been taking the fashion world by storm with a series of viral celebrity moments. Since hard-launching Jacob Elordi as brand ambassador in 2023, Bottega has stacked the roster with Vicky Krieps and Lorenzo Musetti, and turned Kendall Jenner’s tights-as-pants moment into a headline. Safe to say, Bottega’s with the in-crowd - and we’re moving with them. As well as re-inventing the humble green, they created a host of cult bags from the Andiamo to the Jodie.
AW25 marked the debut of British Creative Director Louise Trotter at Bottega Veneta, following Matthieu Blazy’s move to Chanel. Wasting no time, her first look dropped not on the runway but Cannes’ red carpet - Julianne Moore in a sleek black gown with a sculptural leather strap and tassel detail. We can’t wait to see what’s next.
Gucci is in a new era. This year saw the debut collection from new creative director Demna Gvasalia and to say the fashion world is excited to see where he takes the brand next would be an understatement. One of the most influential brands in fashion, we can always count on Gucci to bring the party. Their résumé? From bamboo bags to horsebit loafers, Gucci’s always had a knack for turning staples into icons. The GG monogram sealed its jet-set status, and Tom Ford’s ’90s velvet made a forever comeback. And we can’t get enough of their archival It bags (read: the Sylvie and the Ophidia totes), statement pieces, bold pops of colours and, of course, heavy doses of Gucci monogram.
Carrie Bradshaw once said that the only Italian she needed to know was Dolce, Dolce, Dolce. And in 2025, it still stands true. Since 1985, Dolce&Gabbana; Gabbana - aka Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana - have been the masters of creating season-defining pieces. And the past few years have been big for the brand. Whether it’s hard-launching tomato girl summer with their ‘Be Italian’ campaign or partying with Madonna, Dolce&Gabbana has been stirring up a fashion storm. Ahead of AW25, the brand’s been busy - dressing Sabrina Carpenter for her album cover, casting Michele Morrone as heart-throb-in-chief and playing with fragrance. Right now, it feels like everyone’s in Dolce&Gabbana, from the fashion set to their pocket-sized pooches. Romantic lace, vibrant prints and pure luxury appeal? It’s got to be Dolce.
Max Mara has been setting the standard for modern elegance since 1951, and somehow it still feels fresh. Revered for its iconic camel coats, sharp tailoring, and impeccably clean, minimalist silhouettes, the brand has mastered the art of balancing timeless luxury with everyday wearability. Standouts that continue to define wardrobes today? The Teddy Coat remains the gold standard of cosy, oversized classics, while the Manuela wrap coat transforms minimalism into indulgence.
The brand with the biggest D in the fashion industry? That’s Diesel, always. Bigger and buzzier with each season, this is a brand that makes fashion its own. Lately? It’s Diesel’s rebellion colliding with Eastpak’s tough-as-nails durability. A collab built on mutual respect and a clash of know-how, this collab’s set to be a big one. Expect denim-heavy bags reworked with raw edges, oversized hardware, and pockets that actually do the job. A brand that’s known for its bold, subversive style, it’s no surprise that Diesel has become one of the hottest names in the world, and with Glen Martens at the helm, Diesel has witnessed a stratospheric rebirth. With their legion of celebrity fans, including the likes of Julia Fox, Charli XCX and Troye Sivan, they’re not slowing down any time soon.
Fashion? It belongs to Mamma Miu Miu. There are very few guarantees in the fashion world, but one thing we can always rely on is that anything Ms. Miuccia Prada puts her hand to is destined to become a classic. Case in point: the signature Matelassé Bag, the ballet flats that sparked a global movement (#balletcore now has 125.7 million posts on TikTok), and the mini skirt that spawned a million memes. Famed for being Prada’s playful younger sister, the brand’s lively approach to design has won the hearts of a new generation as Y2K and ‘90s aesthetics continue to reign supreme.
Miu Miu’s grip on fashion is vice-tight, and AW25 proved they’re not letting go. Out went the runway, in came lemon-yellow pillars and staggered seating - an offbeat stage for knee-high socks, ‘30s cloche hats, faux fur, and bold wool coats. Cast highlights? Sarah Paulson, Amelia Gray, Xiao Wen Ju, Gigi Hadid. The result? Another hit from Italy’s finest.
This year, Fendi hits 100, and somehow, the brand hasn’t lost an ounce of momentum. Founded by five sisters, shaped by Karl Lagerfeld, guided by Silvia, backed by LVMH, and now led by Kim Jones and Delfina Delettrez, Fendi has stayed bold, modern, and unmistakably itself. From the Peekaboo bag to the double F logos and architectural tailoring, the classics continue to evolve without ever feeling tired. Who’s wearing it? Ariana Grande in head-to-toe polka dots, Orlando Bloom on the cover of GQ, leather boots that match your bag (further proof that Fendi works in every context.) Over a century later, the house still manages to surprise, combining heritage and innovation in ways that feel entirely its own. Fendi isn’t just celebrating a milestone - it’s showing that heritage doesn’t have an expiration date.
Glamour, heritage, and style. Valentino has been one of the world’s most influential brands for over five decades, and they’re showing no signs of slowing down. Their 2025 catwalk was anything but predictable, set in a red-on-red bathroom with ambient lighting that felt more cinematic than real. Since Alessandro Michele stepped in as Creative Director earlier this year, Valentino continues to prove it’s the brand on everyone’s radar. Key looks to watch? Muted palettes punctuated with pops of colour, simple silhouettes adorned with ornate embellishments, lace tights, and, naturally, every V monogram imaginable. Highlights? The Valentino x VANS collab and the Panthea Bag, effortlessly carried by Iris Law and Tyla as they were pap’d through the city.
It’s Prada’s world, we’re just living in it. Under the co-creative direction of Miuccia Prada and Raf Simmons, Prada has long stood as the fortune tellers of the fashion industry - whatever they do becomes a season-defining trend. First founded in 1913, the luxury house is still as influential as ever: delivering hit after hit. The contingent of It girls that make up their 'Prada Pack' have been well-stocked with iconic pieces: we’ve spotted their viral white tank top, chic Mary Janes, and perennial It bags on the likes of everyone from Kendall Jenner to Hunter Schafer, to Letitia Wright. Dubbed ‘Raw Glamour’, Prada AW25 unpicks beauty and elegance, one oversized silhouette, clashing texture, and bold brow at a time.
Born in Florence in 1927, Ferragamo made its name breaking rules, crafting shoes for Hollywood icons and twisting tradition into something sharper. Nearly a century later, the house still fuses Italian heritage with a restless urge to reinvent luxury on its own terms.
Ferragamo’s AW25 campaign, shot by Craig McDean, dives into the Golden Age of Italian cinema with a soundtrack straight from Fellini’s dreamscape. Rose petals line the runway, romance on repeat. Maximilian Davis channels German Tanztheater with nods to the ’20s and ’80s - movement turned into style. And off the runway? Channing Tatum hitting the red carpet in Ferragamo. The result? Fluid shapes, razor tailoring, surrealist twists.
Back in the ‘90s, Gianni Versace created a cultural sensation, showcasing the OG supers on the runway as they walked as a collective, fresh from their stint on George Michael’s 'Freedom' video. 30 years later, a lot has changed, but Versace is still one of the most important names in the game. In 2025, the mob-wife glam aesthetic is still very much in full swing. Think high-octane looks and big energy - barocco swirls, animal prints, lace touches. Our picks? Bejewelled heels, sharp tailoring, cult corset tops. Donatella may have passed the design baton to Dario Vitale, but her legend is stitched into every seam.