Philipp Plein‘s Fall/Winter 2025 collection transformed Milan‘s Plein Hotel into a raucous ode to the American West, complete with mechanical bulls, crystal-embellished cowboy hats, and a runway soundtrack anchored by Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em.” The show, inspired by Post Malone’s genre-bending album “F-1 Trillion,” fused country aesthetics with the designer’s signature audacity, while underscoring his ambitions to expand beyond fashion into global hospitality ventures.
Models stomped down the runway in emerald-green python skirt suits, sequined pinstripe puffers and varsity jackets emblazoned with faux beer logos. Cropped t-shirts featured rhinestone eagles, while denim separates had baroque motifs laser-cut into the fabric. Even flannel shirts were embellished with sheer layers of sequins, and pants that mimicked the American flag shimmered under the lights. Playful patches of squirrels and deer adorned leather jackets, providing a whimsical counterpoint to the collection’s bolder elements.
The finale shifted to eveningwear: slinky gowns in animal-print sequins and cropped dresses paired with thigh-high boots. Accessories echoed the theme with bejeweled cowboy hats and belts slung low on the hips. While the theatrics – including models mounting a bucking bronco mid-show – drew cheers, the craftsmanship behind pieces like crystal-encrusted biker jackets hinted at Plein’s focus on wearable extravagance.
The spectacle also served as a launching pad for Plein’s broader ambitions. His newly completed hotel in Milan, overlooking the city’s public gardens, signals a push into luxury hospitality, with upcoming projects in Dubai, Miami, and Albania. “These spaces allow us to connect more deeply with our community,” said Plein, describing his brand as a “niche player” that is carving its own path among industry giants. The strategy mirrors his design ethos: unapologetic, crowd-pleasing, and calibrated for viral appeal.
Plein’s emphasis on music as a unifying force-evident in Busta Rhymes’ electrifying performance-reflects his belief that fashion, like musical genres, fosters tribal identity. The Fall/Winter 2025 collection, with its mix of hip-hop swagger and country motifs, spoke to a generation raised on genre fluidity. Whether through faux-baroque denim or U.S. flag pants, the message was clear: Plein’s vision of luxury is rooted in rebellion, excess, and a refusal to be pigeonholed.
As the designer prepares to export his hospitality ventures stateside, the collection’s overt Americana feels strategically timed. Between the Rhinestone Rodeo and plans for a Miami outpost, Plein seems poised to conquer not just runways, but lifestyles.
©Photo: Philipp Plein