Vogue World: Milano took an unexpected turn when humanoid robots joined the runway during Milan Fashion Week, but the futuristic spectacle left many fashion fans less than impressed.
Four humanoid robots created by Chinese robotics company Unitree Robotics made their runway debut during the 2026 Vogue World event, which was held inside Milan’s historic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. The robots appeared during Act IV of the production, titled “The Age of Intelligence,” which explored the growing role of technology and artificial intelligence.
Rather than wearing traditional runway looks, the unclad humanoid robots performed a choreographed routine as they moved through the space. They danced, waved to the audience and even performed a motion while “L’Amour Toujours” by Gigi D’Agostino played in the background.
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Vogue World: Milano Faces Backlash Over Robots Walking Down The Runway
The unusual runway appearance quickly made its way across social media, where viewers had plenty to say about the decision to incorporate robots into a major fashion event.
“I’m going to bed please delete this by the time I wake up,” one person wrote.
“The death of fashion shows right here people!” another critic declared.
“So no one at Vogue thought this was a bad idea? Like not a single person?” someone else asked.
“Nobody wants this. No one asked for this. Get robots out of art immediately (& out of the world),” another person commented.
“Hard to say if this is embarrassing or terrifying,” someone else wrote.
“Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should,” another critic added.
“I’d rather die than cheer for runway robots omg make it stop,” one person said.
Another commenter pointed out, “Not even in an outfit mind you.”
Someone else took the concept even further, writing, “Ok well now, that’s innovation let’s just drape the garments on some robots and call it a day!!!! No more models needed, no more hair stylists, makeup artists and well if the robots are programmed with AI they can style their own outfits as well!”
The segment also appeared to capture some unimpressed reactions from fashion figures watching from the front row, including Valentino’s Alessandro Michele and Prada and Miu Miu’s Miuccia Prada.
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Why Did Vogue World Use Robots?
The robots were not included simply as a novelty. According to Vogue World 2026: Milano creative director Juan Costa Paz, their appearance was intended to reflect the rapid development of robotics and artificial intelligence.
“The robots came into the conversation to represent this very moment that we’re living through, which is the beginning of robotics,” Costa Paz explained. “They’re still very clunky—you know, like how the first cellphones were suitcase-sized—but the robots are meant to be an inflection point in human history.”
For Costa Paz, the performance was designed to capture both the excitement and unease surrounding the technology.
“It’s fun,” he said. “Because robots are fun. But it’s also terrifying and is meant to say, AI is not going away, and the robots are not going away.”
While the robotic runway moment was intended to represent a rapidly changing technological landscape, the reaction online showed that not everyone was ready to welcome robots into the fashion world.
