Milan Fashion Week S/S 26 Calendar Is Out
Spring/Summer 2026 is shaping up to be a major season in Milan. Scheduled from September 23 to 29, Milan Fashion Week will feature 55 physical shows and four digital presentations, slightly more than last season. But the attention this time will be on a few key moments, as several of the city’s top fashion houses undergo creative transitions. One of the most anticipated events is Gucci’s presentation on Tuesday, where Demna will unveil his first collection for the house. The show comes at a critical time as the brand looks to rebound from recent sales declines and regain momentum within Kering’s portfolio. Diesel will officially open the week with a Tuesday afternoon show. Fendi, Prada, Ferragamo, Tod’s, Moschino, and Max Mara will return to the schedule, along with David Koma, who presents his second collection for Blumarine. Brands such as BOSS, Calcaterra, FEDERICO CINA, Stella Jean, and The Attico are also back after taking one or two seasons off. Some newcomers will bring fresh energy. London-based label KNWLS is set to make its Milan debut on Wednesday night. Dhruv Kapoor, known for its streetwear-inspired aesthetic, will also make its first appearance on the womenswear calendar. The week will wrap with a celebratory moment on Sunday, September 28, when Giorgio Armani presents a special runway show in honor of the brand’s 50th anniversary. [Vogue Business]
A New Chapter at Versace Begins Without a Runway
Dario Vitale’s debut collection for Versace will forgo the traditional runway in favor of an intimate event, set to take place on September 26 in Milan. This marks a notable departure for the house, which has long staged high-profile shows featuring models and celebrity friends like Elton John, Miley Cyrus, and Anne Hathaway. In recent years, even Jennifer Lopez and Dua Lipa have walked the runway. Donatella Versace, who helped grow the brand over the past 28 years, was named chief brand ambassador in March. Her final show was held in February. Dario Vitale, who officially succeeded her as chief creative officer on April 1, previously served as Miu Miu’s ready-to-wear design director. His decision to debut with a more intimate presentation could signal a new creative direction for the brand. [WWD]
LVMH In Talks To Sell Marc Jacobs
LVMH is in discussions with several buyers to sell its fashion brand Marc Jacobs. The company has held talks with potential suitors including Reebok-owner Authentic Brands Group and WHP Global. Bluestar Alliance, the owner of Brookstone, is also reportedly interested. According to The Wall Street Journal, Marc Jacobs could be valued at around $1 billion. The move is part of LVMH’s ongoing effort to streamline its portfolio and focus on core growth areas. Last year, the company sold Off-White, the fashion label founded by the late Virgil Abloh in 2012, to Bluestar Alliance for an undisclosed amount. Earlier this year, Stella McCartney also repurchased the minority stake held by LVMH in her namesake brand, nearly five years after the luxury group first invested in it. [Reuters]
Gucci Sales Drop 25%
Kering’s sales dropped 15 percent to €3.7 billion in the second quarter of the year, as its star brand Gucci continues to struggle. Sales at Gucci fell 25 percent to €1.46 billion, following an identical decline in the first quarter. During a call with analysts on Tuesday, Kering deputy CEO Francesca Bellettini shared that Gucci’s new creative director, Demna, will present a full collection in September. “It’s a full collection that will remind people what Gucci is. It’s just not presented as a fashion show,” she said. While the full collection will be available in stores starting in January, some locations will begin receiving pieces as early as September. His first runway show is scheduled for March, debuting the Autumn/Winter 2026 season, with a pre-fall collection arriving in stores beforehand. Across geographies, group retail sales in Q2 declined 10 percent in North America, 17 percent in Western Europe, 29 percent in Japan, and 19 percent in Asia-Pacific. Kering chair and CEO François-Henri Pinault said, “Though the numbers we are reporting remain well below our potential, we are certain that our comprehensive efforts of the past two years have set healthy foundations for the next stages in Kering’s development.” [Vogue Business]
Prada Group Sales Increase
Prada Group reported strong performance in the first half of the year, with rising sales and steady profitability. For the period ending June 30, group revenues rose 8 percent to 2.74 billion euros, up from 2.55 billion euros in the same period last year. Patrizio Bertelli, Prada Group chairman and executive director, said, “This healthy performance was achieved against a challenging backdrop, somewhat unprecedented in our industry. We believe the structural growth opportunities remain unchanged, but we are conscious that in the short term we may continue to face a turbulent economic environment. We remain focused on the long term with an approach that is mindful of the context. As always, our efforts are centered on the product and the client experience, while we continue to strengthen our industrial capabilities and our organization.” Miu Miu sales climbed 49 percent in the first half and 40 percent in the second quarter.Special projects such as Miu Miu Upcycled, Miu Miu Custom Studio, and Miu Miu Gymnasium kept the brand in the spotlight, while community-focused initiatives like Miu Miu Summer Reads, Literary Club, and Tales & Tellers helped strengthen engagement. [WWD]
Thom Browne’s New CEO
Rodrigo Bazan will step down as CEO of Thom Browne at the end of August. According to sources, he is leaving to pursue other opportunities and will be succeeded by Sam Lobban. Lobban currently serves as executive vice president and general merchandising manager for Apparel and Designer at Nordstrom, a role he assumed in August 2022. In this position, he has led collaborations with leading brands, including Thom Browne. He joined Nordstrom in 2018 as vice president of men’s fashion, overseeing merchandising, marketing, content development, store environment, and the menswear shopping experience through his initiative, New Concepts@Nordstrom. During his tenure, he launched 17 New Concepts shops featuring brands such as Dior, Fear of God, Black_Space, Union, Noah, and Thom Browne. In 2020, he was promoted to senior vice president of designer and New Concepts, where he led merchandising strategies and creative campaigns across the men’s, women’s, and children’s categories. [WWD]
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