In the breathtaking Cloisters of San Barnaba, APS Showteam celebrates the union of centuries-old tradition and visionary avant-garde in Italian haute couture.
Milan, February 26, 2025 – The 2025 edition of GX Fashion Week Milan has turned the majestic Cloisters of San Barnaba into a sublime cathedral of cutting-edge fashion, a crossroads where sartorial tradition converses with the boldest innovation. Masterfully orchestrated by APS Showteam, under the guidance of the visionary President Gentiana Dervishi, reigning supreme over the entire hemisphere, the event proved a stylistic triumph, redefining elegance through a synthesis of aesthetic refinement, sustainability, and craftsmanship excellence. The towering Gothic vaults and centuries-old arches of this historic venue enhanced the aura of an event that transcended mere sartorial display, embodying a true metamorphosis in the language of fashion. “The Cloisters of San Barnaba serve as a bridge between the past and the innovative horizon of new aesthetics,” stated President Dervishi. “It is precisely this fusion of historical memory and experimentation that elevates GX Fashion Week Milan to a paradigmatic event.” The runway became the stage for a collective work where artisanal excellence converged with innovative and sustainable materials, outlining a new vocabulary for contemporary luxury. The protagonists of this sumptuous presentation included Adriana Agostini (Adriana Agostini brand), who not only showcased her refined creations but also an entire philosophy merging values, commitment, and authenticity. Awarded the prestigious Donna Impresa International Award as a Role Model, her art represents a bridge between tradition and innovation, rigor and creativity. Each piece tells a story of passion and pursuit, embodying her vision of fashion as a true mission. Knight Umberto Michele Perrera (Sartoria Perrera brand), an iconic figure in the international sartorial panorama, presented creations that synthesize sixty years of dedication to haute couture. From his participation in the Sanremo Fashion Festival in 1968 to joining the Academy of Sartori in Rome in 1971, his journey is adorned with prestigious accolades. His “Treatise for Tailoring,” a masterpiece now a global reference, attests to his ability to blend traditional techniques with innovation. A staunch supporter of GX Fashion Week, his creations epitomize the pinnacle of male and female elegance. The designer was honored with a lifetime achievement award during the final salutations. MUBRI Association from Spain brought their mission of enhancing jewel and gem artistry by Alejandra Cortez and Ariana Onno, the former being the founder of Joyas del Mar, enchanting with jewelry transforming the essence of the ocean into works of extraordinary refinement. Her art, nurtured by a deep connection to the sea from her childhood in Ensenada, has graced the most prestigious international stages, from Paris Fashion Week to being selected for the IX Contemporary Jewelry Exhibition 2025 at the National Museum of Decorative Arts in Madrid. Ariana Onno’s Hõbe brand celebrated minimalist elegance, transforming delicate shapes and precious materials into authentic visual poems, where the play of light on finely crafted metals and stones enhances femininity with harmonious discretion. Nina Tsiklauri, a Georgian with an Italian “soul,” presented creations that sublimate sartorial tradition into sophisticated and exclusive aesthetics. Trained under the guidance of Master Paolo Lentini, now a National Academic of Sartori, she crafts masterpieces at her Unique Milano atelier and brand that embody the perfect fusion of tradition and innovation. The WKO Styria & Topmodel TV Collective Austria, led by Dominik Wachta, participated for the second time in the Milanese event. Herbert Traumüller, with his sFinks A Graz brand, showcased creations inspired by folk and 18th-century art, using ancient materials from museums and private collections, emphasizing sustainability and refinement. Claudia Polic, founder of Claudier, presented her Autumn/Winter 2025/26 collection inspired by inner strength and harmony with nature, while Christa Franz (Christa Franza brand) captivated with her elegant, bold, and timeless creations, winning the Golden Award – Sustainable Fashion Craft at the European Textile & Craft Award in Bolzano. Michaela Egger, with her ZEITLOS brand, presented designs enriched with sophisticated elements like lace and ribbons, inspiring not only aesthetically but also boosting the confidence and personality of the wearer. Elisabeth Gotthardt (Atelier Elisabeth Gotthardt brand) showcased creative, exclusive, and sustainable models on the runway, particularly ball gowns, bridal wear, and dirndls reflecting the essence of refinement. To complete this extraordinary mosaic of talents, Margarita Kola, an Albanian stylist with thirty years of experience, raised among scissors, needle, and thread in a family of tailors, presented her “Atelier Margot by Margherita Kola” collection, specializing in bridal and evening gowns. In her second experience with GX Fashion Week, she presented a collection inspired by the inner strength of women in all their facets. However, GX Fashion Week Milan did not merely celebrate beauty; it embodied an authentic ideological manifesto, a privileged forum for dialogue among designers, buyers, media, and global stakeholders. “Clothing has surpassed its purely aesthetic function, becoming a vehicle for deeper meanings,” emphasized Dervishi. “GX Fashion Week Milan embodies the perfect synthesis of innovation and ethical awareness.” The event reiterated Milan’s centrality as the epicenter of international creativity, a trendsetter and laboratory for connections among global fashion leaders. The presence of illustrious personalities, journalists, and industry entrepreneurs immersed in a multidimensional experience where the value of craftsmanship fused with a pioneering vision of the future of the fashion business. GX Fashion Week Milan thus surpassed the boundaries of a simple runway show, rising to a treatise on applied aesthetics, a bridge between the past and future of fashion, where the concept of luxury transcends mere exclusivity to embody an ideal of conscious and responsible elegance. The backstage was the pulsating heart of the event, where Hair & Make-Up Artist coordinators Corrado Costanzo, Arta Kola, and Alex Radulescu masterfully led an extraordinary team including Sonia Manfra, Ledi Dupi, Cosmina Spinu, Misha Ela, Liljana Grembi, Valentina Shala, Giada Costanzo, and Bruna Mandri. Every look was meticulously crafted to enhance the essence of the runway creations, transforming each model into a living work of art. A perfect blend of creativity, precision, and excellence that made the runway a triumphant showcase of elegance and innovation, leaving the audience breathless. The event’s success was ensured by the impeccable direction of Alessia Xhafa, coordination manager. With extraordinary precision, she managed every aspect behind the scenes, ensuring the entire organizational machinery ran flawlessly. Thanks to her leadership, every detail, from stylists to technicians, was handled with utmost professionalism, transforming the runway into a unique experience. Tireless work that made such a high-level event possible, where creativity and organization fused into a masterpiece. The presentation shone under the expert guidance of Alessio Marrari, APS Showteam’s communication director, renowned blogger, podcaster, and radio host, adept at mastering the language of fashion with acumen and authority. Alongside him, the very young Vesa Gioka, a trainee within the organization, gracefully and confidently assisted in narrating the proceedings, creating a perfect balance between experience and freshness. A refined and masterful dialogue that exalted every moment of the afternoon of showcases, conferring solemnity and dynamism.
Ph: Nicola Giordano, Arjentina Kola, James Graf, Fabio Delfino, Carlo Allievi
Adriana Agostini
Christa Franz
Claudia Polic
Elisabeth Gotthardt
Herbert Traumuller
Michaela Egger
Margarita Kola
Michele Umberto Perrera
Alejandra Cortez – Associazione Mubri
Ariana Onno – Associazione Mubri
Nina Tsiklauri
