Unveiling Milan Fashion Week: IED Milano’s Stunning Fusion of Fashion and Art
Unstage: A Fresh Take on Fashion at Milan Fashion Week
At this year’s Milan Fashion Week, the Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) showcased Unstage, an innovative collective fashion show that redefined traditional runway presentations. Hosted in the Galleria Lia Rumma, the event featured 50 unique looks from 13 up-and-coming designers, highlighting collaboration over individual accolades.
A Multi-Sensory Experience
The show was designed to be a multi-faceted experience, combining garments, sound, and movement into a cohesive performance. Artist Scarlett Rouge opened the evening with a captivating ritual-like act, setting a tone of exploration and experimentation. Umberto Sannino, IED Milano’s Head of Fashion School and project Art Director, noted that the format aimed to "dismantle the surface to reveal what lies beneath: the making, the thinking, the collaborating." This approach challenges viewers to see fashion as a cultural practice rather than simply a commercial commodity.
Diverse Themes and Narratives
The collections presented at Unstage explored an array of themes, including migration, memory, cultural critique, and sustainability. Designers drew on their personal histories and social commentary, crafting narratives that interweave individual experiences with broader cultural dialogues. The show represented a blend of fragility and resilience, nostalgia and innovation, highlighting the intricate relationship between art and fashion.
Rethinking Fashion Education
For educators and fashion schools, Unstage offers valuable insights into how fashion education can evolve. By stepping away from traditional runway formats and embracing interdisciplinary collaboration, this project positions fashion as an experimentation hub. It underscores the importance of process alongside results, showcasing how student showcases can serve not only as visibility platforms but also as environments for collaboration, performance, and critical thinking.
What do you think about this new direction in fashion education and presentation?
