Physical runways back in fashion for upcoming Spring/Summer 2021 Milan shows

Traditional runway shows are making a comeback it seems. More than half of participating Milan fashion houses are making plans to present in-person previews for Spring/Summer 2021. Photo: AP

Giorgio Armani, Fendi, Prada and Versace are all returning to the runway in September, according to the Milan Fashion Week calendar published Wednesday (Aug 12).

After the coronavirus pushed many fashion houses to make online-only presentations in July, more than half of participating Milan fashion houses are making plans to present in-person previews for Spring/Summer 2021.

Due to ongoing virus precautions, including social distancing and mask requirements, as well as some travel restrictions, fashion houses have indicated that seating will be more limited than usual at next month's shows.

Read more: The rundown on fashion weeks and how they're coping with going digital

Italy was the first country outside of Asia to report locally transmitted Covid-19 cases, which appeared during the February runway shows in the Lombardy region that includes Milan.

Closing the week that saw the fashion crowd packed as usual into to tight venues, Giorgio Armani took his collection online, with models parading the collection in an empty theatre as the show streamed around the globe.

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Many followed suit for this summer's menswear presentations. Dolce & Gabbana and Etro were the only Milan designers to invite guests to physical shows. But fashion industry officials acknowledged that digital proved a poor substitute.

​​​​​​​Read more: The verdict on digital fashion presentations: 'They can do more'

In all, 28 fashion houses plan to stage live shows and another 24 will participate in the upcoming Milan Fashion Week through digital shows.

Dolce & Gabbana, Salvatore Ferragamo, Max Mara and Marni will also be present physically, along with younger brands like No. 21, Sunnei, Drome and MSGM. Missoni, DSquared2 and GCDS are among those opting for a digital presence.

Notables missing from the calendar will be Gucci, which announced that it would seek its own fashion rhythms outside of established calendars, and such Milan stalwarts as Jil Sander and Bottega Veneta. – AP