Beyond the Velvet Rope: Experiencing Milan Fashion Week FW26 at Vogue & GQ’s "Montagna Milano"
Men’s Fashion Week FW26 is officially in full swing here in Milan, and while it may be rainy, the energy has not dampened. While shows like DSquared2 are stirring up a lot of buzz, I am taking a different approach with my coverage this season.
Instead of focusing solely on the clothes, I was curious about exploring the brands and publications that opened their literal and metaphorical doors to the public. These free events prove that the magic of Fashion Week doesn't have to be reserved for "insiders" and celebrities.
On Friday, January 16th—the official kickoff of Fashion Week—I headed to BasicVillage for an event that perfectly captured the intersection of style, sport, and community: “Montagna Milano,” hosted by Vogue & GQ in partnership with K-Way.
The Scene: A Ski Lodge in the Heart of the City
Walking into the event space felt like being transported from the busy Milanese streets directly into the Italian Alps. The setup was designed as a rifugio (a mountain ski lodge)—a cozy little hideaway in the middle of Milan. It featured an array of mannequins sporting vibrant K-Way ski outfits, a hot chocolate station, and even a ski lift prop for the perfect photo op.
Fireside Chat with a Legend: Fiona May
The heart of the "Montagna Milano" event was a series of workshops and interviews dedicated to mountain culture and sport. I had the pleasure of attending an interview with Olympian Fiona May, facilitated by Corinne Corci (Senior Lifestyle & News Editor at Vogue Italia).
Fiona May is a powerhouse—a long-jumping champion who has won 11 medals for Italy, including three world titles and two Olympic silvers. During the talk, she shared personal insights that resonated far beyond the world of sports:
Beyond the Track: It is easy to define someone solely by their accomplishments. While Fiona is proud of her athletic career, she underlined that she is much more than her long-jumping stats. Since retiring, she has transitioned her focus to her passions for fashion and film, illustrating that her athletic background was just one chapter of a much larger story.
Living in the "Now": Piggybacking off her sentiments about being multi-passionate and not only being the distinguished long jumper, Fiona offered up some wisdom of her father’s that she lives by in that both the bad and the good moments will pass so live in the now. She does this by regular meditation and visualization—something I’ve also been practicing lately to stay centered.
A Cultural Mosaic: Fiona has a unique perspective, being of Caribbean descent, growing up in the UK, and living in Italy. She shared how she honors this blend of cultures by refusing to fit into one mold. She taps into her Jamaican heritage for a "slow-paced and laid back" vibe—through the music she listens to, for example—while leaning into British "precision" in her professional work.
Fashion for the People
Fashion Week is the "Super Bowl" for style fanatics, but the exclusivity of guest lists can make it feel out of reach for the people who love it most. That’s why events like "Montagna Milano" are so vital.
While some fans gathered at local bars for viewing parties—like the one hosted by model @lyas—the free events hosted by designers and publications like Vogue and GQ provided a high-quality space for the public to truly engage.
This partnership with K-Way was particularly timely. As Milan prepares for the upcoming Milano/Cortina Winter Olympics, seeing fashion embrace the spirit of the mountains felt like the perfect way to kick off the season. It reminded me that at its best, fashion isn't just about the clothes on a runway; it’s about the stories we tell and the communities we build.