The season’s biggest runway debut in Milan was Raf Simons in tandem with Miuccia Prada, a show staged Friday afternoon CET time in the brand’s foundation, and simultaneously in Shanghai. 

Friday morning in Milan was all about two labels built on Italian savoir-faire – Tod’s and Missoni, but where the former staged its best-ever ready-to-wear collection; the latter lost its way under a new designer.

Hopes that strong retail sales in the summer would continue into early autumn seem to have been dashed — at least that’s the case according to the earliest of the monthly retail sales reports to come out.

London-based sustainable textile brand Ananas Anam is looking to expand after securing a £250,000 investment that should help it add more staff and further develop its offer.

France's Kering said it had decided to stop using animal fur for all of its brands, in the fashion industry's latest response to concerns over animal treatment and the environment.

The department store chain has joined forces with the pioneering athleisure label to launch Juicy by Juicy Couture, an exclusive brand expansion offering an affordable and inclusive take on the label’s signature styles.

Having been purchased by Eric and Michaël Dayan in 2019, the Sonia Rykiel brand is set to change hands again, joining the portfolio of American fashion group G-III Apparel, owner of labels including Donna Karan. 

Day Two at Milan Fashion Week opened with a smooth and subtle collection of post-lockdown clothes at Max Mara, inspired by the great feminist and existentialist novel Bonjour Tristesse.

​Luxury handbag subscription business Cocoon has launched a new service “in response to growing consumer demand”. The new Flexi Membership will allow subscribers to tap into Cocoon's collection for a week at a time.

Alberta Ferretti and Fausto Puglisi for Cavalli showed contrasting visions of femininity; one based on crochet and craftsmanship, the other on posh-punk rebellion, as Milan Fashion Week suddenly gathers major momentum.

The understated Chinese luxury label, bought by the Exor holding company at the end of 2020, has taken a more directional turn by naming young designer Yang Li as creative director, and will show in Paris on October 4.

European outlet malls operator VIA Outlets has unveiled a new corporate look and feel “following an extensive rebranding undertaking”.

Wembley’s London Designer Outlet said on Wednesday that Tommy Hilfiger is set to “significantly upsize in the centre following the success of its pop-up store in LDO one year after it opened its doors”.

Jaden Smith has just launched a pop-up at Selfridges in London via the his MSFTSrep label. The products are also available via the Selfridges webstore and pop-ups at its branches in Birmingham and Manchester.

Finland’s Marimekko said on Wednesday that it has upgraded its profit guidance for the full year as pandemic uncertainties reduce, although they haven't gone away and supply chain disruption could still cause problems.

Once, certain fashion designers created to empower women. Others to exalt them or make them beautiful. Today, many creators seem to have a new target in mind – pleasing the personal shopper.