While all roads may have once led to Rome, today Milan is the pulsing, vibrant heart of the world's fashion industry, with Italian designers wowing both traditional audiences in Europe and the Americas as well as hundreds of millions in far-away China and Japan.
Women's autumn/winter collections are usually shown every year in February-March, and spring/summer shows are held in September-October.
The show has been held since 1979, and the Italian city now rivals Tokyo, Los Angeles, London, Paris and New York, setting trends and shattering expectations.
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Models present creations for Etro fashion house during the Women's Spring/Summer 2019 fashion shows in Milan, on September 21, 2018.
© AFP 2023 / Miguel Medina
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Model Bella Hadid poses backstage before the Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini fashion show, as part of the Women's Spring/Summer 2019 fashion week in Milan, on September 22, 2018.
© AFP 2023 / Marco Bertorello
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German fashion designer Philipp Plein (C) soaks in applause following the presentation of the Philipp Plein fashion show, as part of the Women's Spring/Summer 2019 fashion week in Milan, on September 21, 2018.
© AFP 2023 / Marco Bertorello
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Twin sisters Ami Suzuki (L) and Aya Suzuki, of Japanese music duo Amiaya, attend the presentation of the Fendi fashion house collection during the Women's Spring/Summer 2019 fashion shows in Milan, on September 20, 2018.
© AFP 2023 / Andreas Solaro
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A model presents a creation for fashion house Byblos during the Women's Spring/Summer 2019 fashion shows in Milan, on September 19, 2018.
© AFP 2023 / Andreas Solaro
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Models present creations during the Ermanno Scervino Women's Spring/Summer 2019 fashion show in Milan, on September 22, 2018.
© AFP 2023 / Andreas Solaro
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A model pours sand upon himself during a performance as part of the presentation of Marras fashion house during the Women's Spring/Summer 2019 fashion shows in Milan, on September 21, 2018.
© AFP 2023 / Andreas Solaro
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Guests take photos prior to the Versace fashion show, during the Women's Spring/Summer 2019 fashion week in Milan, on September 21, 2018.
© AFP 2023 / Miguel Medina
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A guest poses against a video installation displayed at the Moncler catwalk show during Milan Fashion Week Spring 2019 in Milan, Italy, September 19, 2018.
© REUTERS / Stefano Rellandini
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A model presents a creation during the Missoni fashion show, as part of the Women's Spring/Summer 2019 fashion week in Milan, on September 22, 2018.
© AFP 2023 / Andreas Solaro
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A guest poses before the Act N'1 fashion show during Milan Fashion Week Spring 2019 in Milan, Italy, September 21, 2018.
© REUTERS / Stefano Rellandini
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A model is attended to by stylists backstage before the presentation of the Roberto Cavalli fashion show, during the Women's Spring/Summer 2019 fashion week in Milan, on September 22, 2018.
© AFP 2023 / Miguel Medina
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A model bares her backside as she presents an outfit designed by Philipp Plein fashion house during the Women's Spring/Summer 2019 fashion shows in Milan, on September 21, 2018.
© AFP 2023 / Marco Bertorello
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Model Bella Hadid presents a creation during the Roberto Cavalli fashion show, as part of the Women's Spring/Summer 2019 fashion week in Milan, on September 22, 2018.
© AFP 2023 / Miguel Medina
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Models carry surfboards as they present creations during the Emporio Armani show at the Linate Airport during Milan Fashion Week Spring 2019 in Milan, Italy, September 20, 2018.
© REUTERS / Stefano Rellandini
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Modl Gigi Hadid presents a creation for Moschino fashion house during the Women's Spring/Summer 2019 fashion shows in Milan, on September 20, 2018.
© AFP 2023 / Marco Bertorello
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A model presents a creation during the Fila fashion show, as part of the Women's Spring/Summer 2019 fashion week in Milan, on September 23, 2018.
© AFP 2023 / Marco Bertorello
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(From L) Danish model Helena Christensen, Italian model Carla Bruni Sarkozy and Dutch model Marpessa Hennink present creations during the Dolce & Gabbana fashion show, as part of the Women's Spring/Summer 2019 fashion week in Milan, on September 23, 2018.
© AFP 2023 / Miguel Medina
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Actor Vincent Cassel and Tina Kunakey arrive at the Roberto Cavalli show during Milan Fashion Week Spring 2019 in Milan, Italy September 22, 2018.
© REUTERS / Stefano Rellandini
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Model Irina Shayk presents a creation for Versace fashion house during the Women's Spring/Summer 2019 fashion shows in Milan, on September 21, 2018.
© AFP 2023 / Miguel Medina
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Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani (C) and models are applauded following the presentation of the Armani fashion show, as part of the Women's Spring/Summer 2019 fashion week in Milan, on September 23, 2018.
© AFP 2023 / Andreas Solaro