This Milan Fashion Week, the Italian capital of style and design returns to form. The newest batch of MFW runway presentations includes checkerboards and Y2K themes crossing over with high fashion. Over the past three Milan Fashion Week seasons, typical fashion concepts have been non-existent. As a result of the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak, numerous fashion houses have gone digital or set up events with no audience. This time last year, brands like Giorgio Armani were forced to hold a digital show with no guests. It was, however, business as usual this year. MFW is a tour de force, the holy grail of fashion with its devoted followers, heavyweight designers and professional models arriving in the capital for the event. Despite the fact that brands including Bottega Veneta and Gucci continue to miss MFW, mainstays like Prada, Fendi, and Versace drew a significant number of international visitors this year. The focus of the proceedings was set squarely on fashion industry sustainability, with designers constantly looking to improve, becoming increasingly open in all elements of the design, manufacture, and retail process. The tone this year is one of rebirth. Some showing designers have wholly committed to a roaring twenties approach, full of optimism and hope. Others remain more realistic, taking a more practical approach to fashion. Read on to discover the highlights from some of the most prestigious brands in the sector. REPORT BY HOLLY BETH QUINN FILM BY JACK GEMBITSKY