
Giorgio Armani to miss Milan Fashion Week shows
Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani, who is "currently recovering at home", will miss two of his shows at the Milan Fashion Week, his company said Friday.
The 90-year-old designer will not attend Saturday's and Monday's shows, set to present Armani's menswear collections for Spring-Summer 2026, a statement said.
"Armani has worked with his usual dedication on the collections that will be presented," the fashion house said, and "although he cannot be there in person, he will closely follow every phase of the shows".
Armani, also known as "Re Giorgio" ("King Giorgio"), has built an empire in the luxury industry.
Widely regarded as a visionary creator, he is celebrated for his haute couture, ready-to-wear, accessories, perfumes, jewellery and interior design, as well as luxury hospitality in cities such as Milan, Paris, New York, Tokyo, Seoul and Shanghai.
Milan Fashion Week, one of the most influential events in global fashion, has a rich history rooted in Italy's cultural and economic revival after World War II. In the 1950s, the city's fashion scene began to grow, driven by talented designers and the rise of prêt-à-porter. By the 1970s, Milan's fashion industry organized its own calendar, turning individual shows into a major industry event.
As a symbol of Italy's enduring influence on fashion, Milan Fashion Week remains a vital event—balancing heritage with innovation and inspiring the industry worldwide.
In the 21st century, Milan Fashion Week embraced digital transformation, sustainability, and diversity. Many brands launched eco-friendly initiatives, reflecting a shift toward responsible fashion. Today, Milan continues to attract global attention, serving as a launchpad for new talent and cutting-edge trends.
—AFP

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Observer
a day ago
- Observer
Fans celebrate 'Squid Game' finale with Seoul parade
Seoul: Thousands of fans gathered in Seoul on Saturday to celebrate the final "Squid Game" season, ending a global Netflix hit that is seen as a symbol of South Korea's cultural clout. The third and final season was released on Friday, concluding the series that sees desperate people compete in deadly versions of traditional children's games for a massive cash prize. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk said he had "poured everything" into the series, which launched nearly four years ago. "So while it's sentimental to see it end," he said, "there's also a sense of relief". Fans gathered near Seoul's Gyeongbokgung Palace, led by marchers dressed in the bright pink uniforms worn by the show's mysterious masked agents. They were followed by others carrying oversized toys from one of the games featured in the series, along with the show's flag. Park Sang-gyu, a fan who stayed up all night watching the final season, said the dystopian drama was "ultimately a story about people". "As you watch, you realise it's not just about the games — it reflects many aspects of real life." The walls of the Seoul Metropolitan Library were lit up with key scenes, including Young-hee — the giant motion-sensing animatronic doll featured in one of its brutal games. Lee Byung-hun, who played the masked Front Man overseeing the competition, said the show had become "something of a cultural phenomenon". "One that has drawn one of the boldest lines in the history of Korean content," he said. The first two seasons of the series are among Netflix's most-watched shows, and in 2022, Hwang and the show's leading actor, Lee Jung-jae, became the first Asian men to win Emmy Awards. The final season follows its hero Gi-hun, played by Lee, as he returns to the ultra-violent games to dismantle them from within after surviving the first round. Along with film-maker Bong Joon-ho's Oscar-winning 2019 thriller "Parasite" and K-pop sensation BTS, "Squid Game" is considered one of the most powerful examples of South Korea's rise as a global cultural force. — AFP


Observer
a day ago
- Observer
Saint John the Baptist Cape Verde festivities attract thousands
Thousands of people attended horse racing events to mark the end of traditional celebrations on Cape Verdean island Santo Antao which annually lets its hair down for the Feast of Saint John the Baptist. The festivities not only commemorate the saint's feast day but also mark the summer solstice, which is widely celebrated in several Portuguese-speaking countries. At the foot of the mountains of the west African island, on a track running along the Atlantic Ocean shore, 18 jockeys competed in the "Sonjon" horse race, won by Phizer and his mount Keke. The horses competed for three hours to a noisy backdrop of drums and cheering crowds basking in an equestrian spectacle. Stivan Brito, a 29-year-old soldier, told AFP he enjoyed the "festive atmosphere" and emphasised "the importance of perpetuating old traditions" on the volcanic island. The festivities, which blend sacred and secular traditions and date back to the 17th century, attract thousands of Cape Verdeans every June to the city of Porto Novo. For three days, pilgrims pay homage to Saint John the Baptist, called "Sonjon" in the local Creole language, holding a procession and a range of celebrations. Elenise Santos, a 33-year-old teacher, explained she has attended the festival since she was a child. "When I was little, I had serious health problems, so my mother vowed always to take me to the procession if I recovered," she said, adding that she was proud to keep alive the "culture" and "tradition" of her island. The highlight of several days of festivities, the "Sonjon revoltiod" (Saint John in Revolt) parade, featured several dance groups on Saturday evening. Each neighbourhood displayed traditional costumes and deployed an array of local cultural tools including oil lamps and cooking and farming utensils. "We can't let our culture die," explained Antonio Manuel Pedro, a veteran member of one dance group. "I'm proud to be part of this festival." Participants swaying to the frenetic rhythm of the "Kola Sonjon" dance, symbolising fertility, wore necklaces of corn and peanuts, representing abundance. Located in the far northwest of the Cape Verde archipelago, off the coast of west Africa, Santo Antao was colonised by the Portuguese in the 16th century. World heritage body UNESCO designated the Saint John the Baptist festivities part of Cape Verde's intangible national cultural heritage in 2013. —AFP


Observer
4 days ago
- Observer
Tourist taking a selfie damages painting in Italy's Uffizi Gallery
A visitor to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence damaged a priceless oil painting while attempting to take a selfie, the museum revealed on Saturday. The unidentified tourist leaned against the Baroque portrait Portrait of Ferdinando de' Medici, Grand Prince of Tuscany by Anton Domenico Gabbiani to capture a photograph — until the canvas gave way. Italian broadcaster TG1 posted a video on X showing the painting's canvas tearing under the man's weight. The painting is regarded as one of the highlights of the current exhibition. The man was identified by museum staff and reported to the police. A photograph in the local newspaper Corriere Fiorentino shows a tear in the canvas. The museum management said that the damage is minor and can be repaired. The painting was immediately removed for restoration. Museum director Simone Verde expressed his outrage to the Italian news agency ANSA. He said the issue of visitors coming to museums to take selfies or memes for social networks was getting out of hand. 'We will establish clear rules to prevent behaviour that is incompatible with the purpose of our institutions and respect for cultural heritage,' Verde asserted. This is not the first time that art has fallen victim to selfies. Recently, two visitors to the Palazzo Maffei in Verona destroyed a Van Gogh chair by artist Nicola Bolla, which was encrusted with Swarovski crystals. The couple had apparently found the perfect photo opportunity — they sat on the glittering sculpture, which then broke, as seen in a surveillance video from the museum. —dpa