Justin Timberlake was nowhere to be seen, but his actress wife still got to enjoy the 20-20 experience as she attended Milan Fashion Week on Wednesday.
Jessica Biel was in attendance as Italian fashion house Fendi presented its latest fall-winter women's collection at the semi-annual show.
The American star, 41, looked typically stylish in an oversized blouse and matching black leather trousers by the designer as she took a front row seat ahead of the presentation.
However, the show was interrupted, albeit temporarily, after a partially clothed, placard-waving animal rights activist walked onto the catwalk.
She was immediately ushered away by the amused looks of Biel and her fellow attendees in the front row before the midweek show began.
Justin Timberlake was nowhere to be seen, but his actress wife still got to enjoy the 20-20 experience as she attended Milan Fashion Week on Wednesday
Jessica Biel was in attendance as Italian fashion house Fendi presented its latest fall-winter women's collection at the semi-annual show
Milan Fashion Week kicked off on Wednesday with presentations from Iceberg and Antonio Marras, Diesel, Del Core, Roberto Cavalli, Etro and a debut from Marco De Vincenzo set to take place throughout the day.
On Thursday, Max Mara, Prada, Emporio Armani and Moschino will dominate the events at Milan's Museo della Permanente.
Tod's, Blumarine, Sportmax, Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini, Gucci, Marni, Sunnei, MSGM, Versace, Philipp Plein, Ferrari, Ferragamo, Jil Sander, Missoni, Bally and Bottega Veneta are also expected to present new collections throughout the week.
Global retailers said they hoped to place orders for bold, statement styles at Milan Fashion Week for the fall 2024 season, despite a recent trend toward so-called “quiet luxury” designs characterized by understated elegance.
Big names like Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana and Versace are represented at the clothing fair, which begins on Tuesday after New York Fashion Week and London Fashion Week this month.
Global luxury demand has calmed following a strong post-pandemic recovery, with consultancy Bain forecasting a “likely scenario” of sales growth of 1% to 4% this year.
“After a period in which brands focused on classicism and simplicity, on 'quiet luxury' and timeless products, I expect a trend towards more pronounced creativity,” said Federica Montelli, fashion consultant and former fashion director of an Italian luxury department store chain Rinascente.
“Given the budgets of smaller retailers, I hope they can find impetus to go even further (beyond this budget),” she added.
The show was interrupted, albeit temporarily, after a partially clothed, placard-waving animal rights activist walked onto the catwalk
Model and actress Amber Valletta (left) and Vogue beauty editor Tish Weinstock (right) were also in attendance at the event in Milan on Wednesday
Condé Nast Global Fashion Director Martha Ward turned heads in a pair of high-rise red corduroy pants
The National Chamber of Italian Fashion said this year's event was expected to attract more international buyers than before the pandemic, but did not provide figures.
One of those buyers is Bosse Myhr, head of women's fashion at British luxury department store chain Selfridges.
Myhr said he hopes for a “fashion moment” for Belgian designer Glenn Martens of Diesel. The Italian streetwear brand sells shimmery denim jackets for $995 and stretch leather bootcut pants for $950.
Some shoppers are curbing their spending on luxury goods amid the economic slowdown and rising prices, said Federico Giglio, chief executive of Giglio.com, an Italy-based retailer of high-end clothing from Versace and Valentino, among others.
With this in mind, “from the collections, we expect designers to invent something new that can motivate people to spend money,” he added.
A model walks the runway at Fendi during the fall-winter women's fashion presentation on Wednesday
Milan Fashion Week kicked off on Wednesday with presentations from Iceberg and Antonio Marras, Diesel, Del Core, Roberto Cavalli and Etro set to take place throughout the day
The National Chamber of Italian Fashion said this year's event was expected to attract more international buyers than before the pandemic, but did not provide figures
Retailers may allocate their spending to well-known labels that are making the biggest splash on the runway.
“This is a difficult time for emerging brands… because they require strong investment and require a risk appetite from buyers that does not currently exist,” Giglio said.
According to a Bank of America research report released in January, “quiet luxury” remains the dominant fashion trend, implying higher-priced products and a more affluent customer base.
“We believe brands should refocus on fashion content and novelties throughout the year to re-engage customers and drive traffic,” the report said.
The models did their best to ignore an errant protester as the presentation began