Milan Fashion Week Spring 2025 Recap

Fashion and the economy are deeply linked, ebbing and flowing together. As the economy struggles, so does the risk designers are willing to take. When our pay checks no longer stretch as far as they once did, one of the first things we cut back on are the more outlandish pieces in our wardrobes. Consumers focus on investment pieces, basics, what they can wear “from day to night” as any 1990s fashion magazine would put it. Since the pandemic and the world-wide economic nosedive, fashion has taken a modest approach. We’ve seen a rise in neutral shades and “minimalist” silhouettes, as well as business casual (blazers, suiting, loafers) being applied to all occasions.

Milan’s Spring 2025 fashion week may be the light at the end of the tunnel we have been waiting for. The runway this week highlighted a certain playfulness within fashion which has been lacking over the past several years from bright colours, revolutionary silhouettes and whimsical themes. —Sheila O’Neill

Vivetta’s Sleeping Beauties

We’ve seen a trend towards the inspiration of sleepwear and bedding emerging in fashion. From Australian brand, My Mum Made It’s viral puffer bags which resemble fluffy down duvets, to Selkie’s purses with a ruffle trim reminiscent of 90’s pillow shams. Elsa Hosk’s brand Helsa released pointelle pieces this year that could easily be worn as pyjamas. Finally, the return of the bubble shorts this summer blurred the lines between bloomers and day wear. Vivetta, the ever-experimental brand went literal with the trend. Showing tops made of decorative throw pillows, waffle-knit sets reminiscent of children’s pyjamas and what can only be described as high-waisted men’s briefs, styled with sheer dresses, ruffled blouses and knee-high socks. Vivetta’s Spring 2025 collection is whimsical, playful and … dreamy.

Prada is the Future

It is impossible to deny that Miuccia Prada is one of the great geniuses of our time. She continues to set trends, reinvent silhouettes and revolutionize fashion at both Prada and its little sister brand Miu Miu. Her Spring 2025 collection for Prada is adventurous and futuristic. Showing shoes with silhouettes unlike anything you may have seen before and large bug-eyed glasses that almost resemble something Hollywood would describe as extra-terrestrial. The use of metallics and large circular holes in garments and heavy chains have the avant-garde and experimental sense of what we might imagine futuristic clothing to be.

That’s So BRAT

Charli XCX brought us the colour of the summer (BRAT green), but it seems it may be sticking with us a little bit longer. The electric lime green hue that coloured Summer 2024 continues to show in the Spring 2025 collections of Antonio Marras, Anteprima, GCDS, Emporio Armani and Gucci.

Annakiki is Back in Black

Annakiki showed a striking collection, completely in black. Though the collection is void of colour, the silhouettes speak for themselves. With exaggerated bubble skirts and puff sleeves to match. The all-black theme, paired with dark sunglasses, long leather jackets and structured shoulders makes the collection feel super hero-esque, or like you’ve stumbled upon the wardrobe from the Matrix franchise.