After a complex past with Milan fashion week, Anna Wintour was full of praise this year.
“I think sometimes Milan gets swallowed up between the creativity of London and the magic of design that we see in Paris,” Wintour says in a Vogue.com video, referring to Milan’s spot between London and Paris fashion weeks. “But I think this time they really threw down the gauntlet and sort of said, ‘Welcome to Italy!’”
Wintour also applauded shows by Dolce & Gabbana, Marni, Versace and Prada before Milan fashion week ended on Monday. But designers have slammed her in the past for snubbing Milan with abbreviated trips in order to skedaddle to more important Paris.
Giorgio Armani told WWD in 2014: “There are some who prefer to snub the [Armani] show and go to Paris. Why should I always be . . . penalized because of a person, who, for better or for worse, like or dislike it, is powerful?”
And the Italian Fashion Chamber said in 2010: “If she only comes for a fleeting visit, perhaps it would be better if she stayed at home.” An insider summed up of the about-face: “Anna s - - t on Milan and tried to make it shorter. They fought back, now she’s like, ‘Milan’s amazing!’ ”