Young Milan: The anti-normcore capital

As the V&A opens its doors to The Glamour of Italian Fashion 1945-2014 (get down there before it ends on July 27) – an exhibition chronicling the birth of an industry and showcasing the exquisite heritage of the Milanese courtiers - simultaneously, the Italian city is bubbling with fresh, young talent.

Check out the names to memorise now, then read our Made in Italy homage on page 66 of the May issue (get the digital edition here).

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Fausto Puglusi

Driving street bloggers crazy, Puglusi’s joyful, colorful, maximalist couture has marked him out as the new Versace. ‘Gianni Versace made me dream,’ he tells us in our May issue (pg 66).

Why we love him? For every thigh-high harlequin mini crinoline, there is a graphic colour-blocked T-shirt that will inject our wardrobe with just the right shot of energy.

Massimo Giorgetti of MSGM

Ex-model and music enthusiast Massiomo Gioretti’s design approach is resolutely tongue-in-cheek. Stylists cannot resist his irreverent designs and indie rock inspirations.

Why we love him? At the end of the MSGM autumn/winter 14 show notes, and emblazoned down the sleeves of his final look, was the phrase ‘There’s more to life than this’. Having fun with fashion is the key.

Stella Jean

Giorgio Armani loaned her his 550-seat show space in Milan and his communications team - the first time he has ever shared both with another designer - before ever even meeting her. Is Stella Jean the future Miuccia Prada?

Why we love her? For her spring/summer 2014 collection, Jean travelled to Burkina Faso, west Africa, with the International Trade Centre's Ethical Fashion Initiative, a United Nations project, to source local fabrics in underprivileged areas. 'I will always cherish the ethical approach and support fair trade, and I think fashion can serve as a cultural translator,’ she tells us. She took her SS14 bow graciously wearing a t-shirt printed with ‘Grazie Mr Armani’ across the front. Oh, and its impossible not to feel happy looking at her playful prints.

Au Jour Le Jour

The name translates as ‘From Day to Day’, but believe us there is nothing mundane about this feisty duo. Another Armani favourite, Mirko Fontana and Diego Marquez followed in Stella Jean’s footsteps, showing in the fashion Don’s Armani Teatro for autumn/winter 2014.

Why we love them? Animated and cheeky, the cat and dog embroidered shift dresses, prints of open lips with bejewelled braces on mod sixties coats in bright patent leather, and fruit pastille-coloured fuzzy faux fur are an Instagrammers dream. #NextBigThing