Ti Amo Milano

 

This photo is courtesy of the brilliant Garance Dore

Milan fashion week was truly a beautiful affaire. Dark, romantic, womanly and perfectly seductive, all of the trademarks we’ve come to expect from the big Italian design houses. Suiting, yummy menswear inspired designs, ladylike cuts and gorgeous outerwear were all present.

Marni showed a slightly more minimalist style this season, and although the clothes retained Marni's trademark quirk, it was full of very wearable pieces.

 

Dolce & Gabbana presented a new take on the boy-meets-girl look by showing models in masculine clothing with side burns added for the occasion. And while D&G's did use some of their signature animal prints, stars were the print de jour.

Armani's theme was "Boudoir" and this suit showcases that hint of bedroom in the satin and swing of the cropped pants.

Fendi showed the color-blocking trend to perfection, emphasized through accessories & outerwear: Mary Janes, colored tights, headbands, sumptuous coats and structured bags.

Prada showed models in clothes that were a little bit mod, a little bit doll-like, and a little bit dreamy. And don't forget the Mary Janes with thick socks!

Alberta Ferretti's daywear came in bright colors and covetable silhouettes, all paired with over-the-knee velvet boots and chic sideswept hairstyles.

Opaque tights, T-Strap heels, formal updos and 60s flairs evoked Hitchcock's cool blonds at the beginning of the Bottega Veneta collection.

While the darker & more deconstructed fabrics later at Bottega conjured a sartorial juxtaposition between Grace Kelly & Ms. Havisham.

Jill Sander's show continued to play upon the Hitchcockian theme with this sportswear inspired collection that called to mind Audrey Hepburn's ski resort look in the first scene of Charade.

Both the Moschino and the Moschino Cheap & Chic shows were fun, with a dose of funk. Bows, structured ladylike bags, loafers, opaque tights and socks, plaids & nautical stripes all made an appearance. This look was one of my favorites from the two shows, I like the combination of a silky, flirty skirt with a wintry, knobby knit.

But the runaway hit from Milan was the Ferragamo show, filled with curve hugging silhouettes, pin stripes, pencil skirts, suits & dresses that all said: “I am woman, hear me roar!”

Trends to keep an eye on for next fall: boudoir laces & silks for cocktail frocks, 60’s cuts, attention to accessories & outerwear, thick tights, stockings and socks worn with heels and suits, suits, suits!

Ciao for now!