In a busy Saturday in Milan, Giorgio went Zen master in his private palazzo, Dolce & Gabbana presented disco damsels, Ermanno Scervino refocused with force and Salvatore Ferragamo had a tricky delivery.

The odd thing about attending Versace’s runway show at Milan Fashion Week on Friday night was that all anyone could talk about was what Donatella was going to announce on Sunday evening.

Sportmax threw couture codes out the window in Milan on Friday, staging a perilous balancing act between minimalism and the baroque with its bold collection for next summer. 

The catwalks were graced with playful and magnetic shows on Thursday, with MM6 hosting a cocktail hour runway show at a cult Milan bar, while GCDS unveiled a sexy and sparkly collection that screamed Studio 54. 

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.

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.

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.

Luxury lifestyle brand BALR is relaunching in Britain and Ireland this season and has appointed Start agency as its UK sales partner. The label launches in lHarvey Nichols, Selfridges, and the expanding Flannels chain.