Both Dolce & Gabbana and Ralph Lauren presented menswear shows inspired by the Riviera in Milan recently.

The Spring-Summer 2025 menswear collection by Dolce &Gabbana epitomised the Riviera playboy look. The collection featured black jerkins, cabans and mess jacks made from the traditional straw fabric, Raffia. Ideal for the hot Italian summers, collection wove the Raffia fabric strands into houndstooth patterns for cardigans and espadrilles.

Designed by Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, the lightweight collection, included crepe slacks, pants, and shirts embroidered with pink coral bugle beads. Set against a simple white proscenium, the show marked a shift towards optimism in fashion during challenging times.

On the other hand, presented in the carpeted courtyard of his villa in Central Milan, Ralph Lauren's Spring/Summer 2025 collection added a contemporary twist to the classic classicism. Dubbed ‘Ralph’s Riviera,’ the collection blended ideas from St Tropez to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat with Lauren’s polished prep, worn by a handsome cast.

Featuring combinations like dark pants and a white-tie waistcoat paired with a blue linen safari jacket, the collection also offered sea blue paisley and a thick silk tie. Perfectly suited for a Mediterranean setting, the collection ushered in a new era of gentlemanly chic.