Milan’s iconic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II became the ultimate runway on Tuesday, September 22, as Vogue World: Milano transformed the historic venue into a high-octane celebration of Italian style, craftsmanship and star power.
For its fifth global instalment, the fashion spectacle brought together entertainment's biggest names, from Gigi Hadid opening in dramatic Valentino to Cardi B bringing archival Versace back to life, and Jennifer Lopez performing on the runway in sheer Dolce & Gabbana glamour.
Celebrating a century of Italian design legacy, the evening proved that when high fashion meets Hollywood royalty in the capital of luxury, the results are nothing short of legendary.
Gigi Hadid opens the show in Valentino
American supermodel Gigi Hadid had the major task of opening the show, and she did so in dramatic fashion.
The supermodel walked out in a printed Valentino ball gown from Alessandro Michele’s Spring/Summer 2025 couture collection. The statement silhouette immediately set the tone for an evening where theatrical fashion and celebrity star power took centre stage.
Cardi B brings archival Versace to the runway
Cardi B was among the stars who made an impact on the runway, stepping out in an archival Versace look from the brand’s Spring/Summer 2018 collection.
The rapper’s appearance brought a dose of her signature glamour to the show, while the archival look served as a reminder of Versace’s enduring influence on fashion.
More celebrity fashion moments
Jennifer Lopez leaned into timeless Hollywood glamour in a Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda 2025 beaded black bustier gown as she performed choreography on the runway.
She paired the intricate black dress with sheer gloves and pointed-toe shoes, creating a polished head-to-toe look that felt perfectly suited to the grandeur of the Milanese setting.
Naomi Campbell brought an avant-garde edge to the runway in a look from Matières Fécales’ SS26 collection and paired the black fringed matching set with black oversized sunglasses and black heels.
Pamela Anderson, meanwhile, opted for a more glamorous approach in a shimmering gold Ferragamo Fall/Winter 2026 dress.
She also brought a little bit of surprise with her as she did a black smoky eye look.
Why is it surprising? Because the actress made a decision to ditch make-up in 2023 and embrace bare-faced beauty.
Grammy Award-winning singer Alicia Keys also stood out in a custom creation by designer Francesco Risso.
According to Risso, the hand-painted gown was constructed using scraps of satin, chiffon, and georgette fabrics, giving the look a distinctly artistic quality.
The star-studded line-up continued with Taraji P. Henson, who wore a strapless black Yara Shoemaker Spring 2026 Couture dress that features an embroidered sheer overlay, while Jordyn Woods stepped out in a structured peplum gown with gold detailing on the front by Stéphane Rolland SS25 Couture. She paired the gown with gold heels.
Singer Ciara opted for a Norma Kamali stretch-jersey mini dress, featuring gathered detailing at the hip. The soft jersey and side draping created a fluid silhouette, looking effortless yet sculpted.
With such a diverse mix of designers and personalities, Vogue World: Milano proved that the runway can be just as much about the stars wearing the clothes as it is about the clothes themselves.
A celebration of Made in Italy
Vogue World has become an annual global fashion spectacle since its launch in New York City in 2022. The event subsequently travelled to London, Paris and Los Angeles before landing in Milan for its fifth edition.
This year’s location was particularly fitting, with the event using one of Milan’s most recognisable landmarks to celebrate the country’s fashion legacy and the craftsmanship associated with Italian design.
Vogue Italia’s head of editorial content, Francesca Ragazzi, described the event as a celebration of Italy’s fashion story and the creativity behind it.
“This extraordinary event offers a unique opportunity to celebrate with a global audience the timeless story of Made in Italy, a story of genius and craftsmanship,” Ragazzi said in a statement, per Vogue.
kamogelo.makhura@nationalmg.co.za