Vogue World recently wrapped up its Milan edition, showcasing humanoid robots from the Chinese company Unitree walking down the runway in an act called The Age of Intelligence. The robots danced to Gigi D’Agostino’s “L’Amour Toujours,” performing awkward moves including a lasso, but appeared without any clothing. This bizarre display clashed with the event's theme celebrating Italian craftsmanship and the human touch, leaving notable figures such as Valentino’s creative director Alessandro Michele visibly unimpressed. Social media quickly buzzed with reactions focusing almost exclusively on the robot performance rather than the fashion itself.

This Milan event is part of Vogue World’s annual global tour, which has previously landed in fashion capitals like New York, London, Paris, and Hollywood. Vogue is increasingly aligning itself with the tech world, as seen by sponsoring from Meta Glasses and OpenAI at Milan. The next stop will be San Francisco, a city regarded as less traditionally stylish but central to the tech industry. Vogue’s collaboration with Silicon Valley’s elite, including the recent Met Gala co-hosted by Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez, illustrates how the publication is leveraging tech billionaires’ cultural influence to secure financial backing despite some public disapproval amidst economic hardships and technological concerns.

The robot appearance was met with widespread criticism, highlighting a disconnect between the spectacle and genuine innovation within fashion and technology. Industry voices pointed out that the robots failed to capture the deeper advances in fashion tech, such as AI-driven designs and ephemeral technology explored by creators like artist-engineers AA Murakami. Comparisons were made to past collections like Schiaparelli’s 2024 show featuring microchip-embedded gowns, which reflect a more thoughtful integration of technology and couture. Many viewed the robot act as an awkward, superficial stunt rather than a meaningful representation of technological progress in fashion.

Despite the negative reception, the robotic runway suggests Vogue’s effort to normalize the blend of fashion and technology to broader audiences, possibly preparing for more tech-infused showcases at Vogue World San Francisco next year. Yet, skepticism remains about the approach, with some seeing it as emblematic of larger issues around technology’s impact on society, including job displacement and surveillance. Vogue World’s future events will need to balance innovation with cultural sensitivity to avoid similar backlash and authentically celebrate the intersection of creativity and technology.