milan fashion week has kicked off with a bang as italys top labels gucci dolce gabbana fendi and missoni show off style and sophistication for autumnwinter 202324 there will be 59 catwalk shows between february 21 and february 27 from giorgio armani to bottega veneta with the major fashion event taking place after news of lvmh and kerings record profitsgucci dolce gabbana fendi and missoni are among italys top labels showing at milan fashion weekthis week with the industry buoyed by bumper sales results despite warfuelled economic uncertaintyread alsoskin show at milan fashion weeksexiness is in the air at milan fashion week where brands are encouraging people to show some skin next fall and winterukrainian designers send out defiant message from london fashion weekukrainian designers sent out a defiant message at london fashion week tuesday with clothes made from the neck ties their menfolk no longer wear and butterfly motifs to symbolise the fragility of lifethe event will run from february 21 to february 27heres what you need to know and what to look out for this yearrenowned brands such as etro giorgio armani prada bottega veneta and moschino are also among those showing their autumnwinter 20232024 collections with 59 catwalk shows on the official schedule between now and february 27also on the sidelines will be exhibitions by us video artist bill viola and the late french fashion photographer guy bourdin whose show is curated by giorgio armanithe first black carpet awards will take place on fridaythe gala evening is organised by the afro fashion association to celebrate diversity the lack of which has long been an issue in milandespite the energy crisis and global uncertainty caused by the war in ukraine which erupted almost exactly one year ago major luxury brands are flourishingfrench giant lvmh whose italian brands include fendi bulgari and loro piana reported a 23 per cent increase in sales and 17 per cent rise in net profit in 2022 both records for the groupfrances secondlargest luxury group kering saw profit climb 14 per cent last year despite a drop in fourth quarter earnings at its flagship gucci the company said on meanwhile rival kering reported a 14 per cent rise in its net profit with sales up 15 per cent despite poor performances by flagship brands gucci and balenciagafigures from italys national fashion chamber cnmi confirm the positive trend with the sector recording betterthanexpected revenues of us104 billion 983 billion euros in 2022 up 18 per cent on the previous yeargrowth like that of 2022 was exceptional reflecting a boost after the pandemic said fashion chamber head carlo capasawhile lower gas prices and hopes of cooling inflation have fuelled hopes of a good 2023 the fashion chamber is cautiously predicting four per cent growth closer to prepandemic levelsperhaps we could do even better but there is a war on europes doorstep uncertainty about energy costs and we hope that china is out of the pandemic capasa told reporters on tuesdayguccis figures