In the ever-evolving landscape of high fashion, the recent Milan Men’s Fashion Week has been marked by two notable controversies surrounding the collections of Prada and Dolce & Gabbana.
Prada’s autumn/winter 2026-27 collection, designed by the duo of Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons, was described as “uncomfortable” by the designers themselves. The collection featured a mélange of disparate elements, such as a red Sou’wester top paired with a trenchcoat, or a yellow scoop-neck jumper with cuffs of a shirt falling out of the sleeves. Simons explained that this deconstructed approach was a conscious effort to reject the image of “American corporate masculine power” and instead portray a more “youthful” masculinity.
Meanwhile, Dolce & Gabbana’s show on Saturday has also sparked widespread discussion, this time for its apparent all-white cast of models, despite the collection being titled “The Portrait of Man.” Fashion commentators on Instagram, such as Blakely Neiman Thornton, Louis Pisano, and Lyas, have criticised the brand’s casting choices, with Lyas posting a video calling it “50 Shades of White” and highlighting the “audacity” of the title.
This is not the first time Dolce & Gabbana has found itself at the centre of controversy around issues of race and cultural sensitivity. In the past, the brand has faced backlash for producing earrings featuring Blackamoor figures, naming a shoe “Slave Sandal,” and airing advertisements that were deemed culturally insensitive towards Chinese consumers.
Prada, too, has faced similar criticisms, with its June 2026 menswear show being called out for cultural appropriation when models wore footwear inspired by the traditional Kolhapuri sandals of India. The brand’s head of corporate responsibility, Lorenzo Bertelli, acknowledged the inspiration but stated that no designs had yet been found on the brand’s website.
As the fashion industry continues to grapple with issues of representation, diversity, and cultural sensitivity, these incidents at Milan Fashion Week serve as a reminder that the power of fashion extends far beyond the clothes themselves. Designers and brands must navigate the delicate balance between artistic expression and social responsibility, lest they risk further backlash and controversy.