Fashion Week Studio Brings International Showcase to Lake Como for March 2026 Edition

Fashion Week Studio held its Lake Como showcase on March 1st, 2026, presenting a curated selection of designers at Villa Erba on the western shore of the lake. The nineteenth-century property, known for its grand interiors and direct views across the water served as the setting for a day of runway presentations attended by press, buyers, and industry guests from across Europe and beyond.

The seven designers on show brought distinct cultural perspectives and design languages to the space, with collections spanning bridal couture, kimono-informed construction, haute couture eveningwear, and cross-cultural ready-to-wear. Taken together, they reflected a wider conversation in contemporary fashion around heritage, identity, and the relationship between craft and modernity.

12:30 — Opening Presentations

Vlora & Kaltrina, sisters from Kosovo, opened the day with a collection that draws on family tradition and a shared commitment to hand-craftsmanship. Their approach to haute couture is grounded in precision and a deliberate pace, each piece built with the kind of attention that resists the logic of trend cycles. The collection was an argument for couture as devotion.

A standout look featured delicate floral embroidery across a structured cropped top and sleek column skirt. The silhouette felt strong yet feminine, while feathered sleeve details added softness and subtle movement. The embroidery was carefully placed, giving the impression of something thoughtfully composed rather than decorative.

Their collection felt sincere and considered, a reminder that true couture is built on devotion, skill, and time.

@vlorakaltrina

Narkis Bridal, the Israeli bridal couture label founded by Narkis Ovadia, showed a Lake Como collection centered on the tension between structure and fluidity. Refined corsetry was paired with sheer fabrics and flowing skirts, gowns that approach bridal dressing through restraint rather than excess, offering a contemporary alternative to the conventional wedding silhouette.

On the runway, this translated into refined structure and delicate detail. One standout look featured a lace corseted bodice that sculpted the silhouette while remaining graceful and covered, paired with a flowing lace skirt that moved softly with each step. Sheer, airy sleeves added lightness and balance, creating a romantic contrast to the tailored waistline. The high neckline reinforced the brand’s commitment to modest elegance, proving that coverage can feel just as striking as exposure.

The look felt timeless rather than trend driven. There was care in every seam, every panel of lace, every proportion. In the grandeur of Lake Como, Narkis reminded the audience that bridal couture does not need excess to make an impact, it needs intention, craftsmanship, and a deep respect for the woman wearing it.

@narkisbridal

14:30 — Afternoon Presentations

Walone Haute Couture presented LUMIÈRE DOUCE, a fifteen-piece collection in blush, ivory, lavender, baby blue, and muted gold. Liquid satin and organza were worked into silhouettes that shift between sculptural and weightless, with hand-crafted detail throughout. The collection positioned couture as something intimate rather than theatrical, concerned with how a garment moves and feels rather than how it performs.

On the runway, that intimacy took on a quiet power. One standout look featured delicate floral appliqué layered over a sheer, body skimming silhouette, revealing craftsmanship through transparency rather than excess. A dramatic sweep of green satin wrapped across the bodice and extended into a structured, voluminous back detail, creating contrast between softness and strength. The gown felt both fluid and architectural, balancing romance with control.

@walone

IORIYA showed -Origin-, a collection that functions as a declaration of intent for the brand’s global trajectory. Designer Ioriya Doi draws from Japanese aesthetics and stage costume design to produce garments defined by bold color contrasts and layered construction, clothing conceived as cultural expression rather than ornament.

On the runway, this vision unfolded through structured layering and vivid blue tones that felt both ceremonial and contemporary. One standout look featured a kimono inspired silhouette built through multiple panels of fabric, combining rich indigo, soft pastels, and intricate woven detailing. The dramatic headpiece and carefully constructed outer layer gave the ensemble a sculptural presence, while the movement of the fabrics revealed its depth with every step.

@japanart.ioriya

18:30 — Evening Presentations

Syeda Amiraa presented a collection rooted in refined craftsmanship and structured femininity, designed for the modern woman who embraces both strength and elegance. The collection focused on thoughtful tailoring and intricate surface detailing, allowing each garment to express confidence through form rather than excess.

One standout look highlighted this balance through delicate lacework and a sculpted silhouette. A fitted corset bodice defined the waist before flowing into a soft lace skirt that moved effortlessly with each step. Sheer, airy sleeves added a sense of lightness to the design, while the high neckline and intricate lace patterning brought a romantic, timeless quality to the piece. The look felt both graceful and confident, combining classic bridal inspiration with modern structure.

The result was a design that felt quietly powerful, where craftsmanship and silhouette worked together to create an understated yet striking presence on the runway.

@syedaamiraa

WA studioKIWA, founded by Kiwa Anraku, brought kimono culture into direct conversation with sustainability. Working entirely with upcycled materials, Anraku reconstructs traditional garments into contemporary silhouettes, pieces that carry the weight of their previous lives while functioning fully in the present. The collection made a clear case for preservation through reinvention.

On the runway, this philosophy unfolded through layered textiles and carefully reworked kimono fabrics. One look combined structured tailoring with wide leg trousers crafted from richly patterned material in deep indigo, sage, and soft blush florals. The contrast between the more fitted upper silhouette and the flowing, panelled trousers highlighted the balance between tradition and modern wearability. Every seam and fabric transition felt intentional, as though each textile had been given a second life with respect rather than alteration for trend.

@kiwa.anraku

Nurban closed the day with a collection rooted in the designer’s personal philosophy around women’s identity and inner strength. Each piece is conceived as a direct response to the woman wearing it, garments designed not to project an image but to reinforce a sense of self. The Lake Como presentation marked the brand’s Italian debut.

On the runway, that conviction was unmistakable. A striking scarlet gown commanded the room, sculpted close to the body before unfolding into a voluminous, structured skirt. The asymmetrical neckline and bold architectural shoulder detail added strength and character, while intricate embellishment traced across the bodice, bringing refinement to the dramatic silhouette. The balance between precision tailoring and fluid movement gave the look both control and confidence.

There was a sense of certainty in the way the garment moved through the space. It did not ask for attention, it held it. As the final look of the day, Nurban delivered a powerful closing statement, one that celebrated visibility, resilience, and the unapologetic presence of a woman fully aware of her own strength.

@nurban_m

About Fashion Week Studio

Fashion Week Studio was founded in 2017 by Belgian-Italian designer Nathanaelle Hottois. The platform runs independent fashion showcases across Paris, Milan, London, and Lake Como, and has worked with more than 350 luxury and emerging brands since its launch. The events operate on an invitation-only basis, with a focus on controlled production environments and direct access to an international industry audience.

The Lake Como edition has established itself as a fixture within the broader Milan Fashion Week calendar, offering designers an alternative to the volume and noise of the main circuit without sacrificing reach or credibility.

Villa Erba, Lake Como

Built in the late nineteenth century, Villa Erba sits on the western shore of Lake Como near Cernobbio. Its scale and architectural detail make it one of the few locations on the lake suited to hosting runway events at a professional standard. The March 2026 showcase marks Fashion Week Studio’s continued use of the venue as its Lake Como home.

Credits

Designers: @vlorakaltrina

@narkisbridal @walone @japanart.ioriya

@syedaamiraa @kiwa.anraku @nurban_m

Photographer: @raw._ul

Photo editor: @taliavalles_

Production house: @fashionweekstudioofficial

Founder/CEO: @nathanaellehottois

COO: @hayleyjanesworld

Curators: @sandravaldizan @stefy_moreno @fashionweekstudiocontact @michellesolanor @fashionweekstudio.girls.555

Models: @evasantosc @saramodel22

@silviarobertapossidente @_silviatorrisi

@marinkaeremiya @carolinapicorios @jenny.di.marco

Hair: @lillyhilt

Makeup: @makeupartacademyparis

Venue: @villaerbaofficial

Written by: @sonia.sulaimani & @chaya_fashionweekstudio