Farewell Milan. The John Richmond label, owned by Neapolitan fashion group Arav, has decided to show its collections in London because “Milan has never chosen to include us on its calendar, despite us staging several shows and investing significantly,” said Mena Marano, CEO of Arav, which bought the label in 2016.

Marano, founder of the group that also owns the Silvian Heach, Trussardi Junior and MarcoBologna labels, said that “we were never welcome in Milan. We tried in every way to join the calendar, but I’m tired of being humiliated. Choosing not to accept a brand like Richmond, an icon in the history of fashion, is a shame. We have submitted countless documents and formal requests, which have been ignored many times. The motivations given by the Italian Fashion Chamber in their replies were mere pretexts: that the brand isn’t adequately distributed, or that it is not up to standard, when there are plenty of useless things showing in Milan.”

Marano said that “it’s humiliating for John to be so little regarded,” and that the British Fashion Council “has asked us to show in London several times, offering their backing. We will stage an event on February 22 at the Tate Modern, a venue not available to many.” John Richmond will present its new collection at the London art gallery, also screening a fashion film and holding a party to fête the designer’s homecoming after 20 years.

The label with a punkish-rocker vibe became famous in the 2000s with its jeans inscribed with the words ‘Rich’. It now accounts for 80% of Arav’s revenue, which was €70 million in 2024.

Arav has recently signed a partnership deal with UAE firm Mira Developments to build luxury homes, five-star hotels and exclusive cafés. The first will be constructed in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah, followed by others in Oman and Russia. In parallel, “we are working for the Milan Furniture Fair, we’re presenting a new perfume, we exhibited at Mido with our eyewear, and we’ll do so at Micam with footwear,” said Marano.

An all-encompassing business that, from now on, will no longer have a showcase in Milan but in London, where John Richmond will show in June.