Fashion Garments

Milan kicked off the Italian leg of the international fashion run on Wednesday with a tighter schedule of catwalk shows aimed at meeting the needs of the foreign press but which has ruffled designers’ feathers.

Thousands of journalists and buyers have descended on the Italian fashion capital to see designers such as Giorgio Armani, Prada and Versace’s womenswear for next winter.

But the big names have squeezed their presentations into four days out of the Feb. 24 – March 1 run after powerful fashion editor, Vogue’s Anna Wintour, reportedly shortened her attendance.

Several designers and businessmen were quick to voice concern that a short show week would reduce the strength of the country’s fashion industry. Paris fashion week runs over nine days.

“No one, not even if she is called Anna Wintour, can allow themselves to make or unmake our fashion calendar,” Milan Mayor Letizia Moratti was quoted as saying in Italian newspapers.