MILAN — Milan Fashion Week ended in spectacular fashion as designers wrapped up six days of womenswear runway previews with a gala at Milan’s iconic Teatro alla Scala. The event wasn’t just about the glamour of the fashion world—it was an awards ceremony focused on celebrating sustainability and innovation within the industry.
This year’s gala highlighted the ongoing efforts to promote green innovations, a recognition that began in 2017. The awards aim to spotlight brands and designers making meaningful strides in reducing their carbon footprint and improving sustainability practices. These initiatives reflect a growing awareness of fashion’s impact on the environment, a shift from the industry’s historical association with excess and waste.
Black Carpet Awards Honor Excellence Among People of Color
Alongside the sustainability awards, Milan also hosted the second edition of the Black Carpet Awards, a ceremony that recognizes and celebrates contributions from people of color living and working in Italy. British fashion designer Ib Kamara and Angolan supermodel Maria Borges were among those presenting honors at the event, which aims to promote equity and acknowledge achievements across various sectors.
This year’s honorees included:
- Danielle Madam, a shot-putter champion,
- Alberto Malachino, an actor making waves in Italian cinema,
- Cinzia Adanna Ebonine, an educator who founded a platform to advocate for inclusive education,
- Justin Randolph Thompson, founder of Black History Month Florence,
- Alice Edun, the entrepreneur behind Italy’s first haircare brand designed for curly hair.
Many of the award recipients delivered their speeches in Italian, a deliberate choice to underscore their integration into Italian society. Cinzia Adanna Ebonine expressed her gratitude, saying, “This award makes me seen in my entirety, not just as a Black person working in a predominantly white context, but as a professional striving to make a difference.”
The event attracted international attention, with Anna Wintour making an appearance to meet the honorees before the ceremony. Michelle Francine Ngonmo, founder of Afro Fashion Week and the driving force behind the Black Carpet Awards, emphasized her hope that future editions will include prize money, potentially expanding the impact of the awards.
Ferrari’s Fashion Revolution
Meanwhile, Ferrari demonstrated its blend of high fashion and automotive excellence during Milan Fashion Week. Rocco Iannone, Ferrari Style’s creative director, drew inspiration from the brand’s iconic sports cars for this season’s collection. Key pieces included supple leather looks reminiscent of car interiors and denim with unique tactile pinstripes. The standout accessory remained the hard-case clutch, designed in the shape of a Ferrari sports car.
Iannone described the brand’s commitment to craftsmanship, stating, “Performance for us is craftsmanship, and it is conveyed through fabrics.”
Tokyo James: Challenging Perfection in Fashion
British-Nigerian designer Tokyo James used his Milan Fashion Week collection to challenge the industry’s obsession with perfection. His pieces featured intentional imperfections, such as misaligned seams, which served as a commentary on the need for fluidity in fashion. James, who made his Milan debut during what was hailed as a “Black Renaissance” in Italian fashion, remains one of the few Black designers in the country.
Reflecting on the future, James said, “We have to stop pursuing perfection all the time. It’s a fight against the way the industry is. We need to be more fluid.”
Francesca Liberatore: A Sculptor’s Tribute
Designer Francesca Liberatore paid homage to her father, sculptor Bruno Liberatore, with a collection inspired by his pyramidal structures. The designs included playful bell skirts featuring jutting pyramid shapes, which transitioned into more wearable styles, such as a mini version with pink cotton panels. Liberatore also featured intricate floral patterns, embroidered white-on-white, symbolizing the importance of roots and family heritage.
Speaking about her collection, Liberatore said, “It was my personal story, with my father.”
A Future Focused on Sustainability and Diversity
Milan Fashion Week 2024 closed on a powerful note, with the industry not only pushing boundaries in fashion but also emphasizing sustainability and inclusivity. As the fashion world continues to evolve, the gala at Teatro alla Scala demonstrated that innovation, diversity, and environmental responsibility are becoming integral components of the industry’s future.