Backstage at HUI Milano’s FW2025

This season, I had the chance to photograph parts of HUI Milano’s FW2025 presentation at Palazzo Clerici. The brand’s Aurora collection drew from solar myths and cultural heritage, blending the legends of Xihe and Apollo into one radiant narrative.

One part of the presentation featured an exhibition space filled with traditional Chinese porcelains and Guizhou women in ceremonial dress, draped in silver from head to toe. They sat calmly, singing their folk songs while working on the traditional Miao embroidery, a delicate, time-honored craft that takes years to master.

Here’s what I saw and photographed:

Backstage was exactly what you’d expect: hectic, fast-paced, loud yet focused. In the middle of all the movement, one detail kept catching my eye: red. A subtle but consistent thread running through the looks. Red lips, red nails, and a pair of red earrings on every model. Nothing too loud, but impossible to ignore.

Even with the pressure and the rush, there was a surprising lightness in the air. People were laughing and cheering, models are smiling happily, you could feel the pride behind the chaos.

Here’s a glimpse into those moments before the spotlight:

Scroll down to the end of this post to check out the full gallery of HUI Milano’s FW25 backstage moments. But first, let’s talk about the fitting.

This was the part I didn’t expect to shine, but somehow it did. The fitting took place at HUI Milano’s showroom. Not exactly the most spacious setting for casting and fitting, and definitely not enough space for a photoshoot.

Still, in the middle of all the chaos and tight space, just right after each model had their polaroid taken, we squeezed in a one-minute shoot. Totally unplanned, totally rushed. Yet the results surprised me in the best way.

Take a look: