If there’s one thing about Demna: he’s tapped in. For his big Gucci debut on the Milan Fashion Week runway, the Balenciaga-hailing Creative Director pulled out all of the stops – specifically from the underground hip-hop scene, that is.
Gvasalia personally tapped a lineup of underground hip-hop artists to show face at Gucci’s Fall/Winter 2026 show, sourcing a bunch of talent from the budding UK underground scene. Larger musicians – Kaytranada, Rico Nasty, and Steve Lacy included – were all in attendance to view the collection as per usual for any Demna affair, but it was the shocking slate of faces from the UK underground’s new guard that stole the show.
From runway cameos by fakemink and Nettspend to a Feng, Fimiguerrero, and Rico Ace-filled FROW, Demna has done it again; he has asserted his unmatched ability to bring relevant subcultures into his house’s universe, using each collection as a physical vessel to envision a holistic representation of the modern zeitgeist.
fakemink’s Phone Check Mid-Walk
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Getty Images
We have to start with fakemink. Demna tapping the ever-so-elusive force from the underground to not only attend the show, but walk the show, is quite the feat. Mink shies away from the press, for the most part, and any information we get from him is typically funnelled through his social media accounts. That makes his phone-in-hand runway debut even more perfect. For the ascending rapper/producer’s first-ever runway, mink wore a Gucci crossbody across his chest. About halfway down the runway, he grabbed his phone from the pocket of the bag, stopped walking, checked his phone, put it back in the bag, and continued his step down the runway. At one point, he also pulled the jacket over his head.
Feng’s Front Row Links
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Getty Images
Fresh off the release of his big studio debut album, Weekend Rockstar, Feng sat front row for the Fall/Winter 2026 Gucci spectacle. Donning a clean all-denim fit, the U.K. musician also kept on all of his wristbands on his right arm to accessorize. He even fit in a link-up with Steve Lacy post-show.
Nettspend Pushes Album Drop, Walks Runway Instead
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A lot of people thought Nettspend was dropping his Early Life Crisis album lastnight. A lot. In the eleventh hour, the rapper decided to push the release to March 6, opening up his Early Life Crisis phone hotline for fans to air their grievances (presumably many over the last-minute delay) and, eight hours later, appearing on the Gucci runway. Nett made his runway debut last year in Paris, during Miu Miu’s Fall/Winter 2026 show, but his cameo on Demna’s inaugural Gucci runway – wearing a purple snakeskin shirt and silver snakeskin pants, nonetheless – felt like a match made in Milan.
EsDeeKid’s Seatmates: His Big Bag and Rico Ace
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Just about 12 hours removed from his big Yeat collab cut, “Made It On Our Own,” EsDeeKid showed out in Demna’s front row – and he came correct. The Scouse rapper sat with an oversized Gucci bag at his feet – like, really oversized. Dipped in a mostly black hue and hit with Gucci cues throughout, the bag complemented EsDee’s typical face covering, and signature all-black look. Rico Ace sat next to him as well.
FROW Fimiguerrero
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Few looked flier than Fimiguerrero. The “Vogue” rapper served super sleek vibes in the front row in an all-black Gucci look, sunglasses included.
Nate Sib Seated in the Audience
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Nate Sib is a name that you’ll only start hearing more. This week, the budding 2hollis-esque, hyperpop-meets-rap artist was announced as the supporting act for Joji’s imminent headlining tour. He was then spotted sat FROW a few days later for Demna’s big debut.
Lil Zino’s Personal Demna Invite
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Getty Images
At just 18 years old, Lil Zino is already making waves in the UK drill scene. What might be even more impressive, however, is he personally found himself on Demna’s radar of invitees for the show. The designer reached out personally to Zino – who boasts 15k followers on his unverified Instagram account – to extend an invitation to the show. Now that’s a proper co-sign.
