That's a Wrap! All The Highlights You Need to Know from Milan Fashion Week AW26

Following New York and London, it was the turn of Milan Fashion Week to come into the spotlight for the Autumn/Winter 2026 show season. Running from February 24th until March 2nd, the Italian fashion capital played host to editors, buyers, celebrities and industry insiders from all over the world, who were in town to see the new collections from big-hitters such as Fendi, Prada, Gucci, Bottega Veneta and Ferragamo.

Then, of course, there were all the showrooms, presentations, launches, parties and events going on alongside, not to mention the countless fabulous street style moments in between. It's a lot to keep up with, by any standard—so to help, we've put together a cheat sheet to get you up to speed on all the highlights, talking points and viral moments to come out of Milan Fashion Week.

The Diesel Junkyard

Diesel isn't a brand to do anything by halves, but still—guests were certainly surprised to find a room filled with around 50,000 pieces of memorabilia from the brand's archive as the setting for Glenn Martens' AW26 show. But the immersive installation wasn't just about shock value or Insta-catnip... As the show notes explained: "The memorabilia are forensically displayed under bright lights, like conclusive evidence of nearly fifty years of partying at Diesel. Through reuse and transformation, the installation expresses Diesel’s commitment to upcycling in creative expression, a commitment that is reflected in the collection featuring a diverse range of responsibly sourced and recycled materials across denim, ready to wear and bags."

Rigorous Minimalism at Jil Sander

Simone Bellotti's sophomore show at the helm of Jil Sander was a masterclass in pared-back minimalism, featuring tailored separates, classic coats, smart dresses and butter-soft leather pieces in elegant neutrals—plus a surprise burst of leopard-print in the form of a single midi skirt.

Maria Grazia Chiuri's Fendi Debut

After nine years at the helm of Dior, it was announced late last year that Maria Grazia Chiuri had been appointed Chief Creative Officer of Fendi—the iconic Roman luxury fashion house where the designer first cut her teeth in the accessories department some decades ago. So, Chiuri's first ready-to-wear collection for the brand felt like a full-circle moment, not to mention one of the most important debuts of the season—hence a front-row peppered with celebrities such as Uma Thurman, Jessica Alba and Monica Bellucci. The resulting collection felt decidedly restrained, dominated by black dresses and tailoring, alongside pops of animal print, utilitarian khaki and yellow, as well as the house's signature fur-focussed outerwear.

Party Pants at Missoni

Missoni might be most closely associated with the summer season, but the brand's AW26 collection proved it very much deserves a spot in your winter wardrobe, too. There were chunky knits, oversized coats, warm layers, and more season-appropriate pieces offered in the house's signature patterned fabrics—albeit decidedly more muted—but it was the so-called 'party pants' (tailored trousers jazzed up with lurex thread) that undoubtedly stole the show.

Etro's Evolving Narrative

Creative director Marco De Vincenzo continued to refine his idea of what constitutes “Etro-sity” for AW26. The collection featured tartans layered over paisley, trompe l’oeil scarf prints and heraldic motifs, British-inflected tailoring, and luxe, glamorous flourishes from feather trims and sequins to devoré jacquards and richly worked knits. An ever-evolving eclecticism that felt more considered and compelling than chaotic—and a little more grown-up to boot.

Modern Utility at Max Mara

Max Mara leaned into modern utilitarian elegance this season, trading its signature precision tailoring for looser, more enveloping silhouettes in weighty, tactile, cold-weather-appropriate fabrics. There was a distinctly outdoorsy undercurrent—flat over-the-knee suede boots, practical belt bags, acres of suede—balanced by sweeping coats and maxi jumper dresses that felt both pragmatic and polished. Even eveningwear arrived with woolly epaulettes, reinforcing the idea that this is luxury designed for real winter, not just the front row.

Becks at Boss

More than 600 guests turned out to see the latest BOSS show—and that's before word even got out that brand ambassador David Beckham would be gracing the front row with his presence. Happily, the eye candy extended to the catwalk too, where a standout cast of models emerged in sharp suiting and impeccably tailored separates jazzed up with rich colours, textures and embellishments.

Bella's Back, Four Times

Bella Hadid made her first runway appearance of the Autumn/Winter 2026 season for Prada, where she and just 14 other models took four turns each on the runway, removing a layer every time to show how one outfit can transform at different moments in the same day—and how key pieces come together to form the ultimate, hard-working capsule wardrobe.

Meryll Rogge’s Marni

By all accounts, Belgian designer Meryll Rogge nailed the brief for her Marni debut, capturing the Italian brand's signature quirky, artsy style whilst simultaneously providing a fresh perspective. The collection itself was one of clever contrasts: mountaineer-inflected sportswear met substantial leather and industrial ciré, delicate organza and satin offset utilitarian shapes, while bold stitching, patchworks and off-kilter proportions subtly reworked familiar house codes.

Quiet Luxury at Tod's

Tod’s remains one of the few fashion houses still steadfastly sticking to a decidedly quiet luxury aesthetic, and doing so incredibly well. This season, Matteo Tamburini kept the collection grounded in beautiful leather, from enveloping trenches and pea-coats to supple quilted bombers, rendered in warm, earthy tones of caramel, ginger and chocolate. Subtly reworked loafers, saddle-inspired ankle boots and refined updates to the T Timeless bag reinforced the house’s commitment to craftsmanship over spectacle—all while the likes of Minnie Driver, Lily James, Helena Christensen and Nicky Hilton brought an extra dose of polish to the front row.

The Stars Align for Demna’s Gucci

Demna’s debut show for Gucci was every bit as glamorous, dramatic and star-studded as expected. The front row was filled with the likes of Demi Moore, Eva Herzigova, Donatella Versace, Romeo Beckham and the Hilton sisters, who looked on as supermodels including Emily Ratajkowski, Karlie Kloss, Amelia Gray, Alex Consani and Gabbriette stepped out in the Georgian designer’s sultry, heavily Nineties Tom Ford-coded creations. And as if that weren’t already enough, Demna ensured the show ended with a serious bang courtesy of Kate Moss, who took to the Gucci runway for the first time in more than two decades wearing a backless black gown and Gucci-logo G-string. Iconic.

Argentina, Moschino-fied

There’s never a shortage of tongue-in-cheek fun and whimsy at Moschino, and for AW26 Adrian Appiolaza turned to his native Argentina for inspiration. References to tango, Evita and Buenos Aires were woven throughout the collection, offset by the trompe l’oeil bags and knowingly exaggerated details. But beyond the punchlines, there was a run of genuinely beautiful dresses, rich in ruffles, vibrant patterns and craft, that gave the collection heart as well as humour.

Ferragamo's Stylish Speakeasy

For AW26, Ferragamo's creative director Maximilian Davis—who is still very much in situ, despite recent rumours—continued his ongoing fascination with the 1920s, the era in which the house was originally founded. Using the speakeasy as a jumping-off point, the collection was inspired by the cast of characters who might cross paths there after dark, resulting in everything from reworked sailor uniforms and utilitarian attire, to slinky slip dresses, elegant eveningwear, and cocooning, couture-inspired coats. Paloma Elsesser's turn on the runway was another source of delight, while Tracee Ellis Ross led a stylish real-life cast on the front row.

Madonna at Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana kicked off its AW26 show with a (very worthwhile) 45-minute wait for the inimitable Madonna to take her pew on the front row—before screening a video manifesto declaring that “identity is the ultimate luxury”. The collection itself felt cleaner and more restrained than usual, built around sharp tailoring, black lace and strong outerwear that nodded to the house’s Sicilian roots. The styling, too, was deliberately minimal, with dresses, coats and shirts featuring intricate back detailing—revealed as models paused mid-runway to turn and show the reverse.

Louise Trotter's Bottega: Take Two

It doesn't get much more major than having Daisy Edgar-Jones, Lauryn Hill and Julianne Moore on your front row—but Louise Trotter's sophomore Bottega Veneta collection more than rose to the occasion. For AW26, the British fashion designer continued to refine her vision for the house, balancing structure with sensuality and star power. Think: precise tailoring softened by curved silhouettes, standout coats and unique dresses in fabulously tactile fabrics, epic leather accessories and subtle flashes of nostalgia—all grounded in the quiet confidence and craftsmanship that Bottega does so well.