Our DSCENE team was on the ground in Milan for the Spring Summer 2026 menswear season, covering a full schedule of runway shows and presentations across the city. As part of that coverage, photographer Sohom Das attended the PRONOUNCE show on June 21st, held at Fondazione Sozzani. The venue featured sculptural installations by artist Kris Ruhs, creating a layered physical environment for the presentation. Before the collection appeared on the runway, Das captured the behind-the-scenes moments that framed the final moments of preparation.
For this collection, PRONOUNCE focused on the visual and structural language of traditional Chinese kites. Li and Zhou explored the differences between Eastern and Western kite-making practices, using those contrasts as a foundation for shape, material, and construction. The reference appeared directly in the garments – through volume, folding, and lightness – without relying on metaphor.
Silhouettes remained generous and mobile. Sheer parkas and flowing tops introduced transparency and movement, while wide trousers featured soft folds that echoed the mechanics of kite assembly. The material selection balanced natural fibers and technical finishes. Washed linen, silk, and recycled nylon sourced from the ocean defined the lighter pieces, while eco-leather introduced a polished contrast. Key looks included a Mountbatten pink coat, beige low-rise shorts, and biscuit-hued overalls – each offering a different treatment of weight and shine within the same vocabulary.
Color combinations played an essential role in the collection’s atmosphere. Pastels like mint, powder pink, lavender, and light blue were matched with champagne, various browns, and touches of anthracite. The shifts in tone felt deliberate, with soft gradients giving way to stormier contrasts – evoking air, light, and changing weather conditions.
Recurring PRONOUNCE details returned throughout. The rope motif reappeared on outerwear, reinforcing the collection’s structural core. Scarf collars introduced vertical lines across the chest and shoulders, while layered chiffon skirts brought unexpected texture and depth. Accessories, including gemstone pendants clipped onto keyrings and buckle-detailed footwear, added weight without excess.
Kite logic guided every decision – from cut to fabric to movement – resulting in a collection that remained consistent in tone and restrained in execution. The visual language stayed clear throughout: garments designed to move, hold shape, and suggest structure without stiffness.
