Milan has long claimed its place among the top fashion capitals of the world

Milan has long claimed its place among the top fashion capitals of the world, but appointments issues have fashionistas asking whether it is losing influence.

While top names like Giorgio Armani, Gucci and Versace gave it their all at the autumn/winter 2010-2011 catwalk shows and won wide praise for their lines, the talk of fashion week has devoted to the intensive schedule of its cramped appointments.

Planners were left striving to fit the major names into four days out of the February 24 -- 03 1 pursue powerful fashion publisher, Vogue's Anna Wintour, apparently said she planned to shorten her work to go to Paris, france fashion week and then the Oscars in Los angeles.

Both local and international press have discussing the "Wintour effect" on the upper Italian language city and how designers were bowing to demands of the international press.

Mario Boselli, the chairman of Italy's National Chamber of Fashion -- which sets up Milan fashion week -- said Italian language designers often showed these were not conscious of their power "and instead give in the pressure of the foreign press.

"I think the big maisons should speak up. We are smaller but we had to schedule our show accordingly with the appointments, inch Maurizio Modica, one of the designers at Frankie Morello, told Reuters. "The influence of Anna Wintour? It's a reality.

Milan has long counted on its status of the same big name brands which have been around for decades and whoever projects are lapped up around the world. But main rival fashion capitals New york and Paris, france have longer schedules for this season. Industry observers also note there have been few internationally recognized young designers to emerge here within the last few years.