LAUD END PRAUD Is Fashion Without Boundaries
In a moment when conversations around identity, visibility and belonging continue to shape cultural discourse across Europe and beyond, LAUD END PRAUD returned to BASE Milan on June 20 with a message rooted in possibility.
Now in its sixth edition, the independent project created by Andrea Semeghini, known professionally as VANADIO23, transformed the Milan cultural space into what organizers called “Queer Cosmo” a fluid universe where identities exist beyond binaries and traditional structures. The annual event brought together fashion designers, performers, activists, and creatives for an afternoon and evening that combined the runway presentation, community gathering, and political expression.
Fashion has long served as a vehicle for self-definition, particularly within queer communities. At LAUD END PRAUD, however, clothing functioned as only one part of a much larger conversation. The event positioned creativity as a tool for social change, creating space for dialogue, performance, and collective participation alongside fashion.
The concept of “Queer Cosmo” drew inspiration from the solar system and the vastness of space itself. Rather than placing one identity, perspective, or experience at the center, the project imagined a universe where individuals move freely through different trajectories, constantly evolving and redefining themselves.
“With Queer Cosmo, we want to challenge the way we have always looked at the world and at identity,” Semeghini said in a statement ahead of the event. “We deconstruct the idea that there is a single center, a single correct way of being, loving, or belonging.”
That philosophy informed the evening’s centerpiece fashion presentation. Instead of a traditional runway built around a singular designer’s vision, the show featured eight capsule collections, each representing one of the eight planets in the solar system. Together, they created a visual narrative about coexistence, difference, and interconnectedness.
The planetary concept allowed each participating designer to interpret a distinct world through their own aesthetic language. Mercury was represented by a capsule collection created by students from IED, including Teresa Giannattasio, Aurora Perinelli, Filippo Sansa, and Luca Togni. Pecora Nera embodied Venus, while Venerdì Pomeriggio took on Earth. BERGIE by Giorgia Andreazza interpreted Mars, Be Nina represented Jupiter, Moja Rowa transformed Saturn into wearable form, VIENMNSUONNO explored Uranus, and Simon Cracker completed the cosmic journey through Neptune.
While each collection stood on its own, the combined presentation reflected the broader mission of LAUD END PRAUD: demonstrating that individuality does not require conformity and that differences can coexist within a shared community.
The event’s multidisciplinary approach extended beyond the runway. Throughout the day, guests participated in talks, interviews, DJ sets, and performances before the fashion show began. The evening concluded with live entertainment that included stand-up comedy and drag performances, reinforcing the project’s commitment to showcasing diverse forms of artistic expression.
Behind the scenes, a collaborative team helped bring the vision to life. Roberta Astarita led styling direction, while Maria Aminta Daniele and Dani Marie Bordignon oversaw casting. Daniele also contributed to the event’s soundtrack alongside Manuela Bagnato.
One of the event’s notable partnerships came through MAC Cosmetics, which joined LAUD END PRAUD for the first time. The collaboration felt particularly fitting given the beauty brand’s long-standing association with self-expression, diversity, and LGBTQ+ visibility.
Yet perhaps the most significant aspect of the event happened after the runway lights dimmed.
The looks presented during the show will be auctioned through Fondazione Sozzani, with all proceeds benefiting Sportello Trans di ALA Milano Onlus. The organization provides services for the transgender community, including psychological support, legal assistance, employment guidance, and programs designed to promote social inclusion.
That charitable component underscores what continues to distinguish LAUD END PRAUD from many fashion events. While fashion remains the most visible element, the project’s ultimate focus lies in community-building and advocacy.
As Pride celebrations around the world increasingly navigate questions of commercialization and corporate involvement, LAUD END PRAUD offers a different model. Its emphasis remains on independent creativity, grassroots collaboration, and direct support for marginalized communities.
In Milan, “Queer Cosmo” was more than a runway theme. It was an invitation to imagine a world where identities are not fixed points but evolving constellations connected, diverse and free to move beyond the boundaries that have historically defined them.