Dior Homme AW26 Credits: ©Launchmetrics/spotlight Opinion This season’s official rotation, beginning with Pitti Uomo in Florence and followed by Milan and Paris, arrived fragmented. Major houses including Gucci and Fendi opted out of Milan’s menswear calendar entirely, choosing instead to present co-ed collections during the women’s season or via alternative formats. JW Anderson was also notably absent, as Jonathan Anderson shifts his focus to Dior. The result was a pared-back Milan, heavy on presentations and satellite moments but light on the kinds of runway statements that typically anchor the week. Editors and buyers expressed frustration at the dilution of impact, particularly with the international contingent already in Italy for Pitti Uomo. Valentino’s passing cast a long shadow Mid-season, the fashion world came to a standstill with the death of Valentino Garavani at the age of 93. His passing triggered an outpouring of tributes, culminating in a funeral in Rome attended by industry leaders, cultural figures and longtime collaborators. It was a rare collective pause in an otherwise relentless fashion cycle. Valentino was a founder-designer who never relinquished control of his vision, nor deviated from his lifelong pursuit of beauty, elegance and refinement. In a period dominated by creative churn and brand repositioning, his legacy feels increasingly singular. Market context: Growth amid uneven demand Against this backdrop of calendar shifts and creative tension, the larger luxury menswear market continues to grow, even if unevenly. According to recent industry projections, the global luxury menswear segment is expected to have reached approximately 48.6…
