APCOM

Everything is ready in Milan for the "Men's fashion week", the fashion industry event which takes off on saturday, when the Pitti showroom in Florence ends. The 2008 edition will be one day shorter than the previous ones: this will allow journalists and international buyers to shorten to a week (from the 9th until the 12th in Florence for Pitti showroom, and then from the 12th to the 15th in Milan) their stay in Italy.

"Fashion weeks" have notoriously gone beyond the mere "trading event" character and now encompass important entertainment and media events. The 2008 Milan fashion week is no exception: the programme has in store live music, celebrity guests, lavish galas and charity events.

12 daily catwalks will take place; in addition press and buyers will be invited to the inauguration of the new Ermenegildo Zegna's headquarters and of Ermanno Scervino's showroom. The Triennale will also host a cocktail by Saks Fith Avenue and Wall Street Journal; guests will have the opportunity to visit the exhibition: "Divina, Maria Callas tra Moda e Mito".

With his fall-winter 2008-2009 collection, fashion designer Gaetano Navarra will inaugurate the event on saturday. He'll be followed by Costume National, Jil Sander, Missoni, Burberry, Les Hommes, Versace, Romeo Gigli, Roen and Denis Simachev. Sunday will mark the debut of Lars Nilsson, creative manager of the Gianfranco Ferrè brand, who will be followed by Bottega Veneta, Antonio Marras, Frankie Morello, Salvatore Ferragamo, Vivienne Westwood, Emporio Armani, Neil Barrett, Byblos, Haute and Alexander Mc Queen. The creations of Enrico Coveri, Carlo Pignatelli, Biagiotti, Dirk Bikkembergs, Roberto Cavalli, John Richmond, Moschino, Krizia, Gucci, Alessandro Dell'Acqua, Giuliano Fujiwara and Andrew Mac Kenzie will be presented on monday; tuesday will be the turn of Marni, Iceberg, Dsquared, Fendi, Etro, Messori, Giorgio Armani, M+F Girbaud, Calvin Klein Collection, Belstaff, Gazzarrini and Evisu.