Justin Timberlake was nowhere in sight, but his actress wife was still afforded the 20-20 Experience as she attended Milan Fashion Week on Wednesday.

Jessica Biel was in attendance a Italian fashion house Fendi unveiled their latest fall-winter womenswear collection at the biannual show.

The American star, 41, looked typically stylish in an oversized blouse and matching black leather trousers from the designer while taking to her front row seat ahead of the presentation.

However the show was interrupted, albeit momentarily, after a partially clothed, placard waving animal rights protestor found her way onto the catwalk.

She was promptly led away from the bemused gazes of Biel and her fellow front row attendees before the midweek show began.

Justin Timberlake was nowhere in sight, but his actress wife was still afforded the 20-20 Experience as she attended Milan Fashion Week on Wednesday

Jessica Biel was in attendance a Italian fashion house Fendi unveiled their latest fall-winter womenswear collection at the biannual show

Milan Fashion Week launched on Wednesday with presentations from Iceberg and Antonio Marras, Diesel, Del Core, Roberto Cavalli, Etro and a debut from Marco De Vincenzo scheduled to take place throughout the day.

On Thursday, Max Mara, Prada, Emporio Armani, and Moschino will dominate proceedings at Milan’s the Museo della Permanente.

Tod’s, Blumarine, Sportmax, Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini, Gucci, Marni, Sunnei, MSGM, Versace, Philipp Plein, Ferrari, Ferragamo, Jil Sander, Missoni, Bally, and Bottega Veneta are also expected to showcase new collections over the course of the week.

Global retailers said they were hoping to place orders for bold, eye-catching styles at Milan Fashion Week for the autumn 2024 season, despite a recent trend for so-called “quiet luxury” designs characterized by understated elegance.

The clothing trade show, which starts on Tuesday, following New York Fashion Week and London Fashion Week this month, includes big names such as Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana and Versace.

Global luxury demand has settled down after a strong post-pandemic rebound, with consultancy firm Bain forecasting a “probable scenario” of a 1% to 4% growth in sales this year.

‘After a period where brands were focused on classicism and simplicity, on “quiet luxury” and timeless products, I expect a move towards more pronounced creativity,’ said Federica Montelli, fashion consultant and former head of fashion at Italian high-end department store chain Rinascente.

‘Given smaller retailers’ budgets, I hope they can find a push to go further (over that budget),’ she added.

 

The American star looked incredible in an oversized graphic black shirt which she teamed with leather trousers

 

She added inches to her frame in a pair of boots and toted her belongings around in a grey handbag

 

The show was interrupted, albeit momentarily, after a partially clothed, placard waving animal rights protestor found her way onto the catwalk

 

 

Model and actress Amber Valletta (left) and Vogue Contributing Beauty Editor Tish Weinstock (right) were also in attendance at the event in Milan on Wednesday

 

Condé Nast Global Fashion Director Martha Ward caught the eye in a pair of high-slung red corduroy trousers

The National Chamber for Italian Fashion said this year’s event is expected to attract more international buyers than it did before the pandemic, but did not provide figures.

Among those buyers will be Bosse Myhr, director of womenswear at British luxury department store chain Selfridges.

Myhr said he hopes to see a “fashion moment” for Belgian designer Glenn Martens of Diesel. The Italian streetwear brand sells shimmery denim jackets for $995 and stretched leather bootcut trousers for $950.

Some shoppers are tightening their spending on luxury goods amid an economic slowdown and rising prices, said Federico Giglio, chief executive of Giglio.com, an Italy-based retailer of high-end looks from Versace and Valentino, among other brands.

Given that, ‘what we expect from the collections is that designers come up with something new, which can motivate people to spend,’ he added.

 

Jessica was all smiles as she took her seat on the front row

 

She was all smiles as she sat next to Amber Valletta

 

Jessica accessorised with gold bracelets

 

A model walks the Fendi runway during Wednesday’s fall-winter womenswear presentation

 

 

Milan Fashion Week launched on Wednesday with presentations from Iceberg and Antonio Marras, Diesel, Del Core, Roberto Cavalli, Etro scheduled to take place throughout the day

 

The National Chamber for Italian Fashion said this year’s event is expected to attract more international buyers than it did before the pandemic, but did not provide figures

 

 

Retailers may direct their spending to big-name labels that make the biggest splashes on the runway, among them Fendi (pictured during Wednesday’s show)

 

Delicate fabrics dominated the catwalk during Wednesday afternoon’s fashion presentation

Retailers may direct their spending to big-name labels that make the biggest splashes on the runway.

‘This is a difficult time for emerging brands… because they need strong investments and it takes a risk appetite on the part of buyers that is not there at the moment’, Giglio said.

“Quiet luxury” remains the dominant fashion trend, implying higher-priced products and a more affluent customer base, according to a Bank of America research report released in January.

‘We believe that throughout the year brands should focus back on fashion content and newness in order to re-engage customers and drive traffic,’ the report said.

 

Models did their best to ignore an errant protestor as the presentation got underway

 

 

Jessica gave onlookers a beaming smile as she exited her hotel in Milan on Wednesday

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