Milan Fashion Week: Mix of styles at Prada_ joyful colours at Fendi
Milan - Italian fashion house Prada paired military-style shirts with bell-shaped skirts and elegant evening gloves on Thursday_ in a collection designed to challenge traditional notions of glamour.
Co-creative directors Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons revisited the theme of uniforms for their spring/summer 2026 show at Milan Fashion Week_ with the aim of deconstructing traditional outfits.
Simons explained that the collection was a "recomposition" of garments aimed at making the wearer feel freer_ with the fabric barely touching the body in places. Faux uniform-style pockets were added to the front of a soft-skirted dress; boiler suits were paired with heels; and a silky black jacket was featured.
Bras were worn loosely without traditional support_ skirts were suspended from the shoulders and dresses were lifted at the hem to reveal looser fabric.
Speaking to the press backstage_ Simons described the approach as "anti-sculptural". "A woman can feel beautiful_ free_ chic and luxurious in a uniform as well as in a flowing dress_" he said. "The clothes are also very interchangeable_ you can wear them in multiple ways_" he added.
Miuccia Prada_ 76_ who heads the family's luxury empire_ said she wanted to "try to build a new form of elegance".
"Nonchalant elegance" at Fendi
The previous day at Fendi_ another historic Italian brand_ Silvia Venturini Fendi focused on soft_ sensual shapes and joyful colours to express what the brand calls "nonchalant elegance".
The collection featured jackets with ruched bubble hems; ruffled skirts; transparent organza shirts for both men and women; and matching twisted silk knit tops and skirts.
True to the tradition of a brand that started with leather and fur_ bags took centre stage. One was adorned with beads forming a floral pattern that was echoed on other garments.
"It's about a relaxed_ colourful sense of well-being_ with a romantic elegance_" Fendi explained in the show notes. "Simple gestures with complex work behind them".