The 2024 Milan Fashion Week, one of the "Big Four" fashion events globally, wrapped up its six-day showcase of womenswear collections with a focus on sustainability and diversity. The event, held from September 16-22, culminated in an awards ceremony at the historic Teatro alla Scala, recognizing innovations in sustainable fashion practices.
Sustainability has become a crucial concern for the fashion industry, which accounts for approximately 10% of global carbon emissions. The awards, first introduced in 2017, aim to acknowledge green innovations in an industry often associated with excess. This initiative aligns with the growing trend of luxury fashion brands prioritizing sustainability since 2015.
The second edition of the Black Carpet Awards, held during the fashion week, celebrated excellence among people of color living and working in Italy. This event, part of a broader movement to promote equity in the fashion industry, featured notable figures such as British fashion designer Ib Kamara and Angolan supermodel Maria Borges presenting honors.
Among the recipients were Danielle Madam, a shot-putter, Alberto Malachino, an actor, and Cinzia Adanna Ebonine, an educator who founded a platform for inclusive education. Justin Randolph Thompson, the founder of Black History Month Florence, and Alice Edun, creator of Italy's first haircare brand for curly hair, were also recognized.
"It remains correct to bet on the competencies of young Italians of foreign origin, in a context like Italy that too often marginalizes us, or wants to make us invisible. This award makes me seen in my entirety, not just as a Black person who works in a prevalently white context, but as professional who tries to make a difference in her own way."
The fashion side of Ferrari, founded in 1939, showcased its luxury apparel collection during the week. Rocco Iannone, Ferrari Style's creative director, presented leather looks inspired by sports car interiors, incorporating innovative treatments and fabrics. This blend of automotive technology and fashion design exemplifies the evolving nature of luxury brands.
Tokyo James, a British-Nigerian designer, challenged industry norms with a collection featuring intentional imperfections. His work, which included misaligned seams, critiqued the fashion world's pursuit of perfection and called for more fluidity in design.
Francesca Liberatore's collection paid homage to her father, sculptor Bruno Liberatore, by incorporating pyramidal structures into her designs. Her work showcased the intersection of art and fashion, with embroidered floral patterns emphasizing the importance of roots.
As Milan Fashion Week concluded, it highlighted the industry's ongoing evolution towards sustainability, diversity, and innovation. With over 12,000 fashion companies based in Milan, the event continues to play a crucial role in shaping global fashion trends and addressing contemporary challenges in the industry.