Rome and Milan are once again at the heart of Italy’s vibrant fashion and wedding industries this autumn, with two major events setting the tone for what’s next in bridal style, textile innovation, and creative collaboration. From October 16 to 19, 2025, the Palazzo dei Congressi in Rome played host to the 61st edition of RomaSposa, the storied international bridal fair that has become a touchstone for couples planning their big day. Meanwhile, Milan looks ahead to January 2026, when the 42nd edition of Milano Unica will unveil a groundbreaking concept for Spring/Summer 2027, blending the worlds of textiles and cosmetics in a theme called ‘Mu Cosmetic.’
RomaSposa, which has been a must-attend event for future brides and grooms for over three decades, transformed the EUR district’s iconic venue into a veritable wonderland for wedding enthusiasts. According to DiLei, this year’s fair featured more than 200 exhibitors, 1000 dresses on the runway, and 1000 brands covering 15 business sectors—from venues and entertainment to floral design, favors, attire, hair and makeup, photography, car rentals, and honeymoon packages.
One of the highlights was the return of the Wine Academy area for the second consecutive year, offering couples a chance to explore premium wine and sparkling wine labels, along with expert advice tailored to their tastes and event styles. This initiative underscored the fair’s commitment to making every aspect of a wedding both memorable and personalized.
Fashion took center stage with a packed calendar of runway shows, where over 1000 wedding and ceremony dresses dazzled attendees. The spectrum of styles was vast, with something for every personality and preference. Standout collections included Emanuele Bilancia’s ‘Le Secret,’ which paid homage to Italian baroque with theatrical volumes and luxurious details. As DiLei reported, Bilancia’s 2026 collection “celebrates the elegance of the modern couple, with dresses that tell a shared story and emphasize an understated femininity through authentic beauty and attention to detail, while also embracing color.”
White remains the timeless symbol of bridal attire, but the 2026 runways also introduced soft pastel hues. Giulia Biffis of The Wedding Lab and More presented delicate shades of pink, described as “fresh, luminous, and elegant,” taking center stage in the bridal palette. Her new collection seamlessly blended these tones with expert tailoring, creating dresses that respected tradition while opening the door to personal and innovative interpretations.
Minimalism, too, made a strong showing in the form of the ‘film work’ trend—a sophisticated approach focusing on cut, proportion, and fabric quality to tell a powerful, almost cinematic, visual story with just a few essential elements. This shift towards less-is-more resonated with brides seeking both elegance and individuality.
Versatility proved to be another key theme, with modular and transformable dresses allowing brides to adapt their look from ceremony to reception and beyond. The brand biancad’ottobre, led by Valentina Abbate, championed a “compose, wear, reuse” philosophy. Their prêt-à-porter bridal pieces, designed for unconventional women ready to break the mold, featured essential lines, short dresses, and two-piece ensembles that could be mixed and matched for future occasions. This approach, as DiLei noted, was not only creative but also green, moving away from single-use fashion and embracing sustainability.
For those looking to balance budget and environmental impact, the fair highlighted the growing trend of wedding dress rental for both brides and grooms. This option, increasingly popular among modern couples, allows for the experience of wearing a unique garment without the long-term commitment or waste.
Men’s wedding fashion saw its own evolution, with classic blue and gray suits joined by a surge in colored options. Greens in every shade—symbolizing vitality and hope—made a strong comeback, alongside warmer, bolder tones such as bronze, rust, brown, and eggplant. This expanded palette, as DiLei observed, “responds to the desires of modern grooms to stand out with style, wearing a suit that tells their own story.”
Even pets were given a starring role at RomaSposa 2025. Ricci Pet showcased custom ceremonial outfits for dogs and cats, designed to harmonize with the attire of the bride and groom. Asia’s Friends offered a suite of pet care and logistics services, from ring delivery by the family dog to outdoor wedding management and a dedicated ‘Taxi Dog’ service. The inclusion of furry friends was further celebrated with the option of commissioning a personalized wedding portrait featuring the couple and their pet—a unique keepsake for animal lovers.
Looking north to Milan, the anticipation is already building for the 42nd edition of Milano Unica, scheduled from January 20 to 22, 2026, at Rho Fiera Milano. As reported by Pambianconews, Milano Unica Tendenze has announced ‘Mu Cosmetic’ as the central theme for Spring/Summer 2027, a concept that brings together textile expertise and cosmetic innovation. Artistic director Stefano Fadda explained, “The world of textiles, fashion, and cosmetics are closely related because they all work with materials that become tangible experiences through touch, sight, and smell.”
The research for the upcoming season, Fadda continued, “was born from the desire to consider future fabric as a second skin for our body. From this comes the need to add further value to fabric, going beyond aesthetics to enhance breathability, scent, comfort, and rejuvenation—for a high-performance cosmetic fabric.” The season’s themes—‘Natural,’ ‘Shadows,’ and ‘Sun’—will explore a wide range of colors, textures, and materials, all underpinned by a commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability. Simone Canclini, president of the fair, emphasized that “the cornerstones for us are always quality, which we strive to raise the standard of, innovation, and sustainability.”
In a first for the event, Milano Unica will host Mittelmoda, a prestigious international fashion competition for designers and students from art and design universities worldwide. Now in its 31st year, Mittelmoda finalists will have the opportunity to present capsule collections judged by a panel of industry professionals. Matteo Marzotto, who presides over the contest, told Pambianconews, “We are above all very grateful to Milano Unica because at this moment it is a container of extraordinary dynamism and by far the reference fair in the sector.” He added, “Like us, Milano Unica is an aggregator and propagator of Italian know-how, so it’s a precious opportunity for us.”
This collaboration is the culmination of a longstanding relationship between Mittelmoda and the Fondazione del Tessile Italiano, which has always been the main sponsor of the contest. As Canclini pointed out, “We thought it appropriate this time to collaborate actively.”
As the Italian fashion and wedding sectors continue to evolve, both RomaSposa and Milano Unica offer a glimpse into the future—one that celebrates tradition while boldly embracing innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity. Whether it’s a bride seeking a one-of-a-kind dress, a designer reimagining fabric as a sensory experience, or a couple wanting to include their beloved pet in their nuptials, Italy’s creative industries are proving that there’s room for everyone at the table—and on the runway.
