Milan Fashion Days Honors Visionary Designers at the Historic Istituto dei Ciechi di Milano

Milan Fashion Days opened this year with a spectacular first edition set in the historic Istituto dei Ciechi di Milano. Known as the beating heart of global fashion, Milan provided the perfect backdrop for this prestigious event, where creativity, culture, and luxury came together in one unforgettable celebration.

Milan Fashion Days was more than a series of runway shows — it became a cultural statement about the transformative power of fashion. This season’s runway featured talents from across continents, including AKEL COUTURE & BABYPHOTOSTARS, ELSA FAIRY by IRYNA MYKYTIUK, BY VEL, HOUSE OF RINA, RIINA LAANETU, HOUSE OF NINA’S, LENNIN VILLARROEL, GRITSFELDT, ARUTTI, and SARA PEDRAM.

 

AKEL COUTURE & BABYPHOTOSTARS

AKEL Couture presented the enchanting collection Kids like Crystals, inspired by the purity, sparkle, and uniqueness of every child. This collection turned fashion into a fairytale. Just like crystals, children reflect light in their own magical way — and each look in Kids like Crystals highlighted that brilliance.

AKEL Couture has been named the Laureate of the Milan Fashion Awards in the prestigious category of Best Kids Couture Designer, recognizing the brand’s exceptional creativity, craftsmanship, and influence within the children’s fashion industry.

The collection was showcased by the talented models of the leading international production center Babyphotostars. In recognition of its outstanding work, it was named the Laureate of the Milan Fashion Awards in the category of Best International Kids Talent Production Center — a prestigious accolade celebrating its ongoing commitment to discovering, nurturing, and showcasing young talent on the global stage.

ELSA FAIRY by IRYNA MYKYTIUK

The couture house ELSA FAIRY, founded by designer Iryna Mykytiuk, presented a breathtaking collection of children’s gowns. Each look embodied elegance, imagination, and craftsmanship — from sparkling crystals to flowing silhouettes, turning the runway into a real fairytale. Born in Ukraine and based in Florida, ELSA FAIRY continues to create masterpieces for young stars around the world — with resilience, artistry, and heart.

BY VEL

BY VEL showed a world without borders, where the main idea remained — the little girl who lives in us at any age: seeking attention, longing for freedom, brave, wayward, and inspiring. Everyone in the audience could recognize a part of themselves in her.

Unusual accessories, countless hours of handwork, and oversized dresses and jackets flowing to the floor with the help of light mesh created the royal history of the brand — a story that became the audience’s own. The collection proved that you can reincarnate into anyone, and yet always remain true to yourself — your unique self.

HOUSE OF RINA

House of Rina unveiled its La Forza delle Rose collection inspired by the dual nature of the rose — the tenderness of pink and the strength of red — the collection embodied the modern woman in all her dimensions: graceful yet powerful, soft yet unbreakable. Each gown became an act of self-expression and empowerment, transforming the runway into a movement. Beyond fashion, House of Rina reinforced its commitment to women’s advancement through collaborations with organizations supporting creativity, education, and community growth.

House of Rina, founded by visionary designer Rina Patel, was honored at the Milan Fashion Awards in the prestigious category of Best Womenswear Designer. This recognition celebrates the brand’s dedication to timeless elegance and its powerful vision of modern femininity.

RIINA LAANETU

RIINA LAANETU presented her Women’s DNA SS26 Collection — a true embodiment of confidence, femininity, and freedom. Each look celebrated the modern woman: strong yet soft, elegant yet comfortable, fearless yet graceful.

With her signature dress-up / dress-down design philosophy, Riina proved that true elegance is effortless — adapting to every moment and every mood. The collection reminded us that fashion is not just about what we wear, but how we feel — confident, seen, and unapologetically ourselves.

RIINA LAANETU was honored at the Milan Fashion Awards in the prestigious category of Luxury Womenswear Brand, celebrating her refined vision of elegance and contemporary femininity.

HOUSE OF NINA`S

Nina Dulovic presented her latest collection for House of NINA’S — a powerful fusion of strength and elegance. Born in Montenegro, the brand has become a symbol of refined femininity across the Balkans and beyond, with boutiques in Budva and Podgorica and an expanding presence in Monaco and Paris.

For Milan, NINA’S unveiled structured silhouettes, sharp tailoring, and luxurious textures that redefined contemporary elegance — from statement coats to masculine-inspired power pieces and glamorous eveningwear. Each design celebrated the woman who leads with confidence, grace, and undeniable presence.

LENNIN VILLARROEL

Lennin Villarroel, a visionary Venezuelan designer based in Santiago, Chile, presented his latest collection dedicated to timeless elegance and the power of modern femininity. Known for redefining feminine aesthetics across Latin America, Lennin merges sensuality, sophistication, and strength through impeccably tailored silhouettes, plunging necklines, and exquisite embroidery. Influenced by art history and the grandeur of the Roman Empire, his designs strike a perfect balance between boldness and refinement — offering not just garments, but a luxury experience crafted to make every woman feel powerful, elegant, and unmistakably unique.

GRITSFELDT

Jade Gritsfeldt showcased his latest collection under the newly rebranded label Gritsfeldt, delivering a powerful fusion of fashion, music, and narrative expression. The presentation moved beyond a traditional runway format, opening with the live premiere of his track “Visa,” which set the tone for themes of growth, transformation, and personal evolution. Each garment was meticulously reconstructed and infused with Ukrainian cultural DNA — from layered scarves and headwraps to sculptural textures reflecting heritage and identity — boldly reaffirming Gritsfeldt’s place at the intersection of couture and artistic activism.

Jade Gritsfeldt was named the Laureate of the Milan Fashion Awards in the category of Best Fashion Star. This prestigious recognition honored his visionary fusion of fashion, performance, and cultural storytelling — a testament to his influence as a designer, musician, and creative force redefining contemporary couture.

ARUTTI

Designer Wladimir Davidii Arutti presented three signature looks from ARUTTI as a live performance. Founded in 2016 by brothers Wladimir Davidii and Georg Arutti, the brand redefines contemporary luxury by seamlessly merging haute couture with high-end prêt-à-porter. Known for its architectural precision and modern artistry, ARUTTI balances wearability with avant-garde refinement — offering pieces that are as sculptural as they are sophisticated.

 

SARA PEDRAM

Sara Pedram is more than a fashion label — it is a movement of self-discovery and conscious expression. Based in Dubai Design District, the brand creates garments not merely to be worn but to be felt. Each piece is crafted with uncompromising quality and symbolic intention, serving as a mirror of inner emotions, dreams, and identity. Designed for those who seek depth in every detail, Sara Pedram offers a private, bespoke experience where clothing becomes a language of the soul — awakening awareness, confidence, and the courage to unveil one’s truest self.

With the historic Istituto dei Ciechi di Milano as its grand setting, Milan Fashion Days united heritage and modernity in a spectacular celebration of fashion in all its forms.

“Our mission is to open the doors of Milan to emerging and established designers from around the world, giving them the stage to showcase their vision and to inspire with fashion as a universal language of beauty and identity,” shared Zoriana Semeniuk, founder and organizer of the event.

Milan Fashion Days concluded not merely as a showcase, but as a statement of cultural dialogue, creativity, and global connection through fashion.

 

Key MUA & Hair: @nesterovamari_mua

Chief of Beauty Team: @makeup_paris_study

Photo: @vasiliygalushkin @gennaropiscopoimmagini @fotograf_artti

Fashion Director: @houseofrina2

Producer: @zarina.semenyuk

Production: @milanfashiondays

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