Fashion
Davii and Pé de Chumbo present catwalk shows at a decommissioned former metro station in Milan

Published
September 29, 2025
On Saturday, September 27, the Luso-Brazilian label Davii and Pé de Chumbo—the brand of Portuguese designer Alexandra Oliveira, who handcrafts unique textiles for her exclusive pieces—unveiled their spring-summer 2026 collections at the Major Virtual Tunnel, a decommissioned metro station that is establishing itself as an avant-garde venue and, for the first time, hosted presentations connected to Milan Fashion Week.
Davii and Pé de Chumbo presented their collections at the invitation of Portugal Fashion, as part of the official calendar of presentations in the Italian capital of fashion and design, thus marking “the second stop on Portugal Fashion’s international calendar, after London and before the debut of its own showroom in Paris, confirming the consistency of the project’s internationalisation strategy,” the Porto runway organisation explained in a statement.
“Between Davii’s architectural and conceptual precision and Pé de Chumbo’s artisanal identity, Portugal Fashion presented two complementary visions that attested to the richness of the national ecosystem,”

As part of the official Milan calendar, the two labels, representative of the excellence of Made in Portugal, staged different moments of ‘catwalk performance’, with Davii showing its proposals at 3:15 pm and 4:30 pm, and Pé de Chumbo performing at 4:00 pm and 5:15 pm, “creating a dynamic in which Portuguese fashion asserted itself in an immersive register and in direct dialogue with journalists, buyers and industry professionals,” the note continued.
Davii opted for black and white in veiled monochrome looks, cut in light, diaphanous fabrics that evoked, at once, the bittersweet aura of Vestal Virgins from Classical Antiquity, intertwined with medieval warriors and contemporary Amazons, and asserted that women’s power goes far beyond the femininity and sensuality imposed by male-dominated societies.

The Brazilian designer based in Portugal—now with a foothold in Italy and China, where he divides his time—brought to his work the beauty and strong character of those thoughtful, ancestral women with clear ideas who acted discreetly, in silence and almost anonymously, echoing figures such as “Lady with an Ermine” and “La Belle Ferronière”, masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci that mark the dawn of the Renaissance in Italy.
Entitled “Reimagined Forms”, his new collection explores a contemporary avant-garde with deep roots—the most forward-thinking of every era—through an aesthetic that merges with the organic, fluid forms of nature. Davii combines neoprene, silk organza and leather in these sculptural, ethereal pieces that define the brand, reaffirming its position in the realm of contemporary conceptual experimentation.

Pé de Chumbo, for its part, makes its debut on the official Milan calendar with the “Femme” collection, also in
tribute to this “feminine duality that has balanced power and fragility, courage and sensuality”, the press release noted.
The collection favoured “intricate lace worked in robust yarns, references to corsets and daring cuts” in pieces that “evoke memory and tradition”, while also unfolding into bold silhouettes suggested by these singular, novel materials—without neglecting the dictates of fashion, especially those of the 1980s and 1990s—and the aesthetics, legacy and savoir-faire of northern Portugal, while drawing on a broader palette of neutral tones and vibrant, metallic colours.

“True to its identity, the brand asserted itself through the artisanal manipulation of raw materials and by controlling the entire production process in its own factory, a distinctive element on the international scene,” show notes continued.
According to Mónica Neto, director of Portugal Fashion: “Milan has been a strategic platform for Portugal fashion to assert itself. This edition reinforced that role, with Davii and Pé de Chumbo underlining the consistency of our presence on the official calendar and demonstrating the creative and productive vitality that makes Made in Portugal a trusted reference in the global market,” she concluded.

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Fashion
BioFibreLoop spins breakthrough in Lignin-based sustainable textiles

The achievement marked a step forward in replacing harmful chemicals used in functional textiles with bio-based, recyclable alternatives. However, progress now hinges on securing a stable supply of high-quality lignin. The absence of standardisation across the EU complicates sourcing, as lignin properties vary depending on extraction processes, and several specialised suppliers have exited the market, the European Commission said in a press release.
The EU-funded BioFibreLoop project, led by Germany’s DITF, has achieved a breakthrough by spinning lignin-cellulose fibres, advancing sustainable textiles for outdoor, active, and workwear.
Aiming to replace harmful chemicals with bio-based, recyclable alternatives, the project now faces challenges in sourcing high-quality lignin due to lack of EU standardisation.
DITF has been testing lignin’s suitability for fibre production and coatings that provide textiles with functions such as liquid, gas, and bacterial protection—essential for sustainable yet high performance fabrics. The project aims to ensure these lignin-coated textiles are both biodegradable and recyclable, aligning with the European Green Deal.
Despite market volatility, new wood refinery plants in Europe promise to stabilise supply. BioFibreLoop sees this as an opportunity for lignin producers to secure large-scale demand by entering the textile market. If successful, the project could strengthen Europe’s bio-based supply chains and resilience against global disruptions.
“Our good research results on the use of lignin in textile products together with the great market potential will strongly motivate the establishment of biorefineries for suitable lignin variants in Europe,” said Thomas Stegmaier, technical coordinator at DITF.
BioFibreLoop (Circular biobased technical textiles with innovative bio-inspired non-toxic functionalisation) will continue until 2027.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
Fashion
Pay, human rights and the environment: the OECD puts Shein on notice

By
AFP
Published
September 29, 2025
Asian fashion brand Shein “does not comply with several recommendations of the OECD guidelines” concerning human rights, wages and the environment, according to a press release issued by the organisation on Monday.
In 2023, French Socialist MPs referred the matter to the OECD’s National Contact Point (NCP), a body affiliated with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, to raise questions about several aspects of the online retailer’s supply chain.
Founded in 2012 in China and based in Singapore, Shein has regularly faced accusations of environmental pollution and unacceptable working conditions.
The NCP has just issued its non-binding conclusions. It accuses Shein of failing to comply with France’s “AGEC” law, which requires brands to indicate, for each product, the percentage of recycled materials used and the countries where weaving, dyeing and printing, and manufacturing are carried out.
In addition, it suspects Shein of shirking its labour-law obligations by hiding behind Chinese legislation, from which the majority of its sourcing originates. However, “it is up to the company to implement proactive measures to guarantee (…) compliance with applicable international standards”, failing which there remain risks of hindering workers’ freedom of association, precarious working conditions and even forced labour.
The OECD also regrets that Shein publishes neither “its factory audit framework” nor “any mapping of its activities or its supply chain”, nor any account of its social and environmental impacts, aside from calculations of greenhouse gas emissions.
The organisation also recommends that the company publish its financial results, capital structure and governance.
It acknowledges that “since receiving the referral, efforts have been made by Shein to formalise a sustainability policy and communicate its initial results”.
Shein “has participated constructively in this process for more than two years (from June 2023 to September 2025), sharing a great deal of information and remaining open to dialogue”, the company told AFP on Monday.
It said it regretted “that the procedure did not always reflect the spirit of neutral mediation envisaged by the OECD framework, due in particular to consultations limited to certain critics known to Shein”.
Paris, 29 September 2025 (AFP)
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Fashion
Fendi: Silvia Venturini Fendi named honorary president of the Maison

Translated by
Nazia BIBI KEENOO
Published
September 29, 2025
Fendi has announced that, as of October 1, Silvia Venturini Fendi will assume the role of honorary president of the Roman Maison, following her illustrious creative tenure, which included overseeing the women’s wear collections during the brand’s centenary year. In her new capacity, she will champion Fendi’s heritage, continue to promote the brand globally, and celebrate the Maison’s rich history, exceptional craftsmanship, and the world of Fendi Casa.
Silvia Venturini Fendi represents the third generation of the Fendi family, founders of the historic Roman Maison. From 1992 to 2019, she worked alongside Karl Lagerfeld within the artistic direction. Since 1994, she has overseen the accessories and menswear lines and, more recently, the womenswear line. “These have been exhilarating years, which I have lived also in the name of my grandmother Adele, my mother Anna and her sisters. My thoughts go to Karl, an extraordinary master who honored me by allowing me to collaborate with him, teaching me the art of sharing — a defining quality in the female‑led history of my family — and encouraging me to cultivate and safeguard my creative vision before taking flight on my own. It has been a wonderful journey for me, also on a personal level: the bond with Karl Lagerfeld, then with Kim Jones, and, last but not least, with my fantastic team, which over the years has become part of my family,” says Silvia Venturini Fendi.
“Since 1992, Silvia has contributed significantly to shaping Fendi’s creative direction and has been instrumental in the brand’s international success. Her vision has guided Fendi from its Roman artisanal roots towards the future, culminating in the celebration of the Maison’s centenary. I am excited to see the projects Silvia will lead in her new role, contributing not only to Fendi’s legacy and values, but also to the worlds of design and craftsmanship on a global scale,” says Ramon Ros, chairman and CEO of Fendi.
A new creative organization for Fendi will be announced in due course.
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