"As the designer has stated on several occasions, the shows are critical and irreplaceable occasions, but the health and safety of both personnel and the general audience must once again take precedence," Armani said in a statement.

Giorgio Armani said on Tuesday that he will cancel his Giorgio Armani and Emporio Armani men's fashion presentations in Milan this month, as well as his Prive haute couture show in Paris, due to an increase in coronavirus infections in Europe.

Armani is the first big designer to withdraw from the Milan men's previews for fall/winter 2022-23, which are slated for Jan. 14-18. The design brand stated in a statement that the decision was reached "with deep sadness and after serious deliberation in light of the deteriorating epidemiological situation."

"As the designer has stated on several occasions, the shows are critical and irreplaceable occasions, but the health and safety of both personnel and the general audience must once again take precedence," Armani said in a statement.

Last month, Milan's fashion council revealed that 22 labels, ranging from Armani to Zegna, will stage live runway displays, with just nine opting for digital presentations. It did so in response to the popularity of the September womenswear presentations, which had 40 live runway previews with mask restrictions and a restricted number of invitees.

The British Fashion Council has announced that their January menswear shows would be canceled due to COVID and will be combined with the womenswear calendar in February.