Monte-Carlo shimmered with a renewed sense of purpose as Fashion Week 2026 unfolded across the Principality, transforming its sunlit coastline into a global stage where creativity, sustainability, and innovation converged. From April 14 to 18, the event reaffirmed its position as one of the most forward-thinking fixtures on the international fashion calendar, where vision is as essential as style and responsibility shapes the narrative of luxury’s future.
Anoushka Borghesi and Kelly Rutherford at the Monte-Carlo Fashion Week Awards Ceremony, honoring the legacy of Giorgio Armani
At the heart of the week, the Fashion Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner delivered a moment of reflection and celebration. A defining highlight came with the posthumous presentation of the Legacy Award to Giorgio Armani, honoring a designer whose influence reshaped modern dressing and whose refined aesthetic continues to define elegance across generations. The tribute recognized not only his creative legacy but also his cultural impact and enduring integrity, with the award presented by actress Kelly Rutherford to Anoushka Borghesi, Global Communications Director of the house.
Francesca Bellettini, President & CEO of Gucci and Federica Nardoni Spinetta, President & Founder of MCFW & Chambre Monégasque de la Mode at the Monte-Carlo Fashion Week Gala Dinner
The evening also celebrated leaders shaping the industry’s next chapter. Francesca Bellettini received the Positive Change Award, acknowledging a leadership philosophy rooted in inclusivity, innovation, and responsibility—principles that increasingly define contemporary luxury. Meanwhile, the Emerging Designer Award spotlighted British talent Macy Grimshaw, whose experimental approach and commitment to sustainability signal a bold new direction for fashion’s rising generation.
Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio Chief Strategy Officer of EssilorLuxottica, President of Ray-Ban and of OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation Italia, in conversation during a Monte-Carlo Fashion Week conference at the Yacht Club of Monaco
Innovation extended beyond the runway. Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio was honored with the Social Impact & Sustainable Innovation Award, recognizing his efforts to integrate technological advancement with global accessibility, particularly through initiatives that expand vision care worldwide. His presence at the Yacht Club of Monaco for an intimate conference underscored the event’s intellectual dimension, where dialogue between industry leaders, investors, and creatives explored the evolving responsibilities of fashion.
Throughout the week, Monte-Carlo Fashion Week demonstrated a commitment to meaningful exchange. Conversations involving sustainability experts, designers, and leading institutions highlighted the urgency of rethinking production, materials, and long-term impact. The message was clear: innovation is no longer optional—it is essential.
Laila Hasanovic opens the Twinset runway with a flowing blush gown inspired by the Côte d’Azur
The runway offered a vivid interpretation of these ideas. Inside the luminous Grande Verrière at the Grimaldi Forum, collections unfolded against a striking architectural backdrop of glass and steel. Twinset opened with Laila Hasanovic, embodying a soft yet confident femininity that echoed the Côte d’Azur’s effortless allure. Flowing silhouettes, sun-washed hues, and a finale of eveningwear captured a sense of modern glamour infused with Mediterranean ease.
Macy Grimshaw receives the Emerging Designer Award alongside Francesca Airoldi, Chief Business Officer of Condé Nast Italia
Designers from Monaco and across the globe continued the narrative, each translating sustainability into their own language. From experimental fabric techniques to circular design practices, the collections reflected a shared commitment to redefining luxury through responsibility. The closing moment belonged to Macy Grimshaw, whose trompe l’oeil creations challenged perception and reinforced fashion’s role as both art and commentary.
Monte-Carlo Fashion Week 2026 ultimately offered a vision of an industry in transition—one where heritage and innovation coexist, where creativity is guided by conscience, and where the future of fashion is shaped through collaboration and purpose. In Monaco, elegance is no longer defined solely by aesthetics, but by the values that sustain it.
