Fashion week: a biannual runway extravaganza that sees editors, buyers, influencers, and designers jet-setting between global capitals to catch a glimpse of next season’s trends. Historically, it’s been divided into separate men’s and women’s fashion weeks, a tradition rooted in the mid-20th century when gender norms were, let’s just say, less fluid. But in 2024, do we really need this division? Beyond the cultural debate, there’s also the practical (and pressing) issue: the carbon footprint of hosting two distinct fashion weeks, with armies of attendees flying in from all corners of the world. Is it time to streamline?
Gucci says yes! For 2025, Creative Director Sabato De Sarno is rewriting the script, ditching the dual-show format in favor of three unified presentations.
Gucci’s new format kicks off in February 2025 at Milan Fashion Week with a show that combines their Fall/Winter 2025 Men’s and Women’s collections. The same will follow in September for the brand’s Spring/Summer 2026 offering. Additionally, a unified Cruise 2026 show will take place in Florence on May 15, 2025.
Why the shake-up? De Sarno has made it clear since his debut that he’s all about synergy. His collections don’t just coexist; they talk to each other. Femininity and masculinity intermingle, elevate one another, and blur the lines in ways that feel very current. Think of it as an approach that mirrors the shifting gender dynamics and unisex appeal of today’s fashion.
Beyond the aesthetics, this unified format is a step toward reducing fashion’s environmental impact. Fewer shows mean fewer flights, fewer venues, and, potentially, a diminished carbon footprint. It’s a refreshing shift in an industry that often prioritizes spectacle over sustainability.
For Gucci, the move is also about storytelling. By aligning men’s and women’s collections into one cohesive narrative, Gucci is creating a more holistic vision of its brand. Each show becomes a chapter in De Sarno’s larger tale, weaving together threads of tradition, innovation, and a distinctly modern worldview.
Gucci’s move raises the question: why aren’t more brands doing this? As the lines between menswear and womenswear continue to blur and the planet begs for relief, the old-school fashion calendar might need a serious rethink. And Gucci’s unified approach is a step in the right direction.
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