Giorgia Meloni attends Milan Fashion Week gala dinner, pledging 100 million euros in sector support

First prime ministerial visit in a decade

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attended the opening gala dinner of Milan Fashion Week on the evening of 23 September 2026 at Palazzo Reale. The event was co-organized by the Municipality of Milan and the National Chamber of Italian Fashion (Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana). Her presence marked the first time an Italian prime minister participated in Milan Fashion Week since Matteo Renzi attended a dinner at the same venue in 2016. Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala, Prefect Claudio Sgaraglia, and Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana President Carlo Capasa received Meloni upon her arrival at the palace. The opening ceremony took place in conjunction with the exhibition titled 'Dalí e la Moda'. Meloni attended the evening wearing an Ermanno Scervino midnight blue pantsuit with a white shirt.

Industrial backing and financial support

Upon arriving at Palazzo Reale, Meloni explained that her physical presence was intended to express government backing for a sector navigating difficult circumstances while continuing to deliver strong economic results. She referenced a government allocation of 100 million euros aimed at incentivizing investments across the fashion supply chain.

I thought it was particularly right this year, in a moment that is not easy for a sector that nevertheless continues to give us great results, to give a signal of presence and closeness.

Capasa stated that Italian fashion represents approximately 5% of national gross domestic product and employs around one million people. He added that the prime minister took time during the evening to greet entrepreneurs and hear concerns across the production chain. Discussions during the dinner addressed the overall condition of the sector, supply chain cohesion, professional training, and measures to safeguard small enterprises.

Italian fashion is a large industrial supply chain, appreciated all over the world, which represents about 5% of GDP and counts about one million employed people.

Gala attendees and Da Vittorio menu

Meloni was seated at a table alongside luxury industry executives, diplomats, and municipal officials. Her table companions included United States Ambassador to Italy Tilman Fertitta, Kering Chief Executive Luca de Meo, Dolce & Gabbana Chief Executive Alfonso Dolce, LVMH executive Frédéric Arnault, Tod's Chairman Diego Della Valle, OTB Group founder Renzo Rosso, Moncler Chief Executive Remo Ruffini, Prada Group Chief Executive Andrea Guerra, Gildo Zegna, Brunello Cucinelli, and Vogue Global Editorial Director Anna Wintour. Other guests present at the dinner included model Bianca Balti and musician Ghali. The meal was prepared by chefs Enrico and Roberto Cerea of the three-star restaurant Da Vittorio. The menu included an eggplant terrine with goat cheese and basil sauce paired with Franciacorta Brut Cuvée Royale Marchesi Antinori Tenuta Montenisa, followed by Paccheri alla Vittorio paired with Ca' del Bosco Franciacorta Extra Brut Cuvée Prestige Edizione 47, concluding with miniature pastries.

Political criticism and international agenda

Meloni's decision to travel to Milan prompted criticism from former Prime Minister and Italia Viva leader Matteo Renzi. Renzi criticized the choice of events, arguing that Meloni chose to attend a domestic fashion dinner rather than travel to New York for the United Nations General Assembly. Meloni defended the decision as a necessary demonstration of institutional support for Italian manufacturing, stating that direct engagement reinforces the sector's contribution to the national economy and Italy's international image.