Le Figaro’s critique to Milan fashion week aroused reactions at all levels. Urged by the press, the captains of industry, Carlo Capasa (CNMI) and representatives of national politics, such as Mariastella Gelmini, didn’t hold anything back. And the rumours are all piqued, and rightly so. The title of the French newspaper (later corrected in the online edition in a sweeter expression, as you can see in the photo) was strong: “Milan Fashion Week, chronicle of an announced failure”. But the best response to the French is not that of wounded pride. It is that of facts. As perfectly explains a closer look at the international press review.
The best answer to the French
There is no reason to be angry if from abroad they affront us, in short. Fabiana Giacomotti from Il Foglio is certain of this: “If we were a mature country, we would congratulate ourselves on having managed to organise a fashion week that has more shows in attendance than any other”.
Instead of dwelling on our merits, however, “we have been suffering from inferiority complexes since the time of Louis XIV”. But there is no need to project the dualism with France, where the great capital of fashion is based, on the fashion week circuit, “given that all the great Italian designers who were holding their fashion shows in Paris – continues Giacomotti – are present in Milan” and in the Ville Lumière “after all, there are only sixteen second-rate fashion shows in attendance”.
The satisfaction of buyers
On the other hand, “international buyers approved Milan Fashion Week”, was WWD headline once the event came to an end. The edition seemed satisfactory to the business community.
For Tiffany Hsu, fashion buying director at Mytheresa, “the week was organised really well, even in an unprecedented context”. “I am really pleased that some brands have had the courage to return to physical events, the best possible formula – adds Riccardo Tortato from TSUM -. I respect and support all the brands that have managed to prepare excellent collections. We must prepare for a great return”. This satisfaction leaves a deeper and more concrete mark, we are sure, than the skepticism of a French editorial staff.
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