Models strutted down the catwalk in an eerie quiet, interrupted by applause from the audience, wearing short jackets in pastel hues and shiny, sequined black and silver dresses.

“My decision not to use any music was taken as a sign of respect towards the people involved in the unfolding tragedy in Ukraine,” read a post across a black banner on the fashion designer’s Twitter account.

“The best thing to do is send a message that we don’t want to celebrate because something very disturbing is happening around us,” the designer later said on the sidelines of the show.

Armani’s designs brought down the curtain on Milan’s fashion week for the 2022-23 fall/winter collections, which hosted mainly in-person catwalk shows rather than digital presentations.

These included designs by the likes of Dolce&Gabbana, which showcased futuristic looks, and Versace, which played with contrasts including corsets and cargo pants, during their weekend presentations.