Medieval themes and evolving occasion wear dominate fashion runways

Medieval aesthetics and evolving occasion wear are defining recent fashion runways. Max Mara’s autumn-winter 2026 collection, presented in Milan, drew inspiration from the 11th-century Countess Matilde di Canossa. Creative director Ian Griffiths utilized elements such as hoods, metal collars, and conical hats, reflecting the historical roots of the brand in Reggio Emilia. This trend of medieval references has also been observed in collections from Ralph Lauren, Givenchy, and Louis Vuitton.

In Milan, Marques’ Almeida presented their Spring 2027 collection, marking a shift toward more sophisticated occasion wear while maintaining a grunge undertone. The designers, Marta Marques and Paulo Almeida, experimented with silhouettes including peplums, barrel-leg pants, and maxi ruffles. The collection aims to balance the brand’s underground East London origins with a more mature approach to dressy attire.