Time To Review Milan, Yes?

With Milan Fashion Week comes that bittersweet sensation that Fashion Month is about to come to an end. It is the third of the four fashion capitals and thus, it is with slight sadness that we part ways and enter our final city. Before we do so, I'd like to reflect on the magic that took place in Milan this past week. Let me begin by saying that I may be tearing up as I write this report, but Milan brought joy and happiness to my heart with every runway show. This season, it was all about loud retro prints, some romantic cuts, and a heck of a lot of colour. We saw an array of mixed prints at Emilio Pucci and Salvatore Ferragamo to make us feel like we were on drugs. The rock n' roll glamour at N21 and Roberto Cavalli also happened to have this affect. And how about those retro cuts and geometric shapes at Prada and Gucci for the quirky girl in all of us? There was something for everyone at Milan Fashion Week and though each collection showcased something different, they all shared one common feeling: vivacity. If there's anything one can learn from Milan, it's how to embrace life, and in this case, fashion is what breathed life into all of us. Now, let's take a look at some of the collections that brought me to life this week.

ETRO

There may be a reason the word "Etro" is in "Retro". Just saying. This collection featured an array of 90s inspired looks featuring edgy leather biker jackets topped over slinky black lace dresses. Another 90s trend that made an appearance? The sheer floral dress at the floor-length or cut right at the ankle. There were prints galore aside from the traditional floral, including an oversized plaid coat, some heavy striped sweaters, and brocade. Essentially, if you aren't into prints, this collection probably isn't for you. Veronica Etro's ability to combine the heavy with the light when it comes to her fabrics is a skill on its own that requires a rule breaker attitude mixed with some artistic inclinations (or maybe they're one in the same). A few notable accessories? Some knitted berets and long scarves that dragged onto the ground like an afterthought that worked out way too well.

FAVOURITE LOOK: 34

via vogue.com

VERSACE

Something felt different this year at Versace. Usually it feels a little too sexy for me with slits to the upper thigh and deep Vs that scream wardrobe malfunction. While the overall sex appeal of the Versace brand was still present, something about this collection it felt more real. Allow me to explain. From the moment Gigi Hadid walked down the runway in an oversized navy coat and NOT a bodycon dress, I knew something was up at Versace (despite her endless legs). The first few looks remained in the navy and black tones with cinched waists and highly conservative cuts. The collection then took a strange turn with a much more athleisure approach. Models strutted down the catwalk in striped crop tops, gloves that looked like knee-high soccer socks, and fitted dresses with very obvious sportswear influences in baby blues and corals. Donatella then took us into a world filled with bright colours such as yellow and red while keeping a conservative approach with her shapes and hemlines. At the very end, the designer brought back a few microminis to keep us on our toes and remind us that she is the queen of sexy. It was just enough for it to still feel like Versace, but with a slightly fresher view.

FAVOURITE LOOK: 17

via vogue.com

GIAMBA

It wouldn't be a review of Milan without a look at Giambattista Valli's Giamba collection (a recurring one on my blog). My obsession with this collection raises concerns and tugs at my heart strings simultaneously. It is filled with youthful touches like frills and flared hems, but with rebellious/Lolita undertones. It's about the good girl gone bad who consciously wears black underwear underneath her frilly white lace and black platform boots with a polka-dotted dress. Let's not get things twisted here. This was definitely NOT a collection made for little girls, though some might be drawn to it. It's for women who yearn for the 80s, when sensuality and punk rock were one in the same and romance was infused with darkness. I can imagine this girl hopping on a motorcycle with her rockstar boyfriend in a frilly dress of course. The designer combined high hemlines with higher necklines and longer skirts with deep Vs to keep every look feeling sexy, but slightly angelic. This girl is giving everyone a wink as she unties her bow to reveal a black choker and a heart-shaped tattoo.

FAVOURITE LOOK: 9

via vogue.com

EMPORIO ARMANI

Speaking of the 80s, we must address Armani's Emporio Armani collection filled with pops of colour and geometric shapes. While Armani may be known for more sophisticated cuts suitable for your average business woman, this year he had a little fun playing with colours, cuts, and prints. Some of the colours spotted at the show included candy cane pink and kelly green, with splashes of yellow and blue on a variety of printed dresses and flirty mini skirts. It felt like a modern art gallery, while still paying tribute to the 80s nostalgia that dominated the runways with high-waisted wide-leg pants (RIP skinny jean) and classic blazers in a variety of lengths. It was fun, with a hint of sophistication, a combination only Armani could pull off. 

FAVOURITE LOOK: 36

via vogue.com

 PHILOSOPHY DI LORENZO SERAFINI

Sarafini's latest collection was a cross between the 80s and the early 1800s with frilly necklines and many high-waisted pants. Nothing catches my eye quite like a high-waisted pant and some very pretty bows to tie it all together. If I could, I'd take you through every look in this collection because each one made my heart skip a few beats (in the romantic and cliche way as it should). While this collection featured many youthful ensembles (much like Giamba), it possessed even more feminine qualities like black lace overlays and layers of dramatic frills fit for a judge from the early 20th century, but also, a lady. The designer entered the realm of colour by choosing unlikely combos like baby blue and red in a mix of black and white boudoir-inspired outfits. It was edgy, romantic, and youthful without slipping into kinky territory. For the girl who's constantly being called cute and dreams of looking sexy, this collection is calling your name.

FAVOURITE LOOK: 36

via vogue.com

Which collection did you love at Milan this year?

Ponder it,

Bella

Let's Take A Trip To Milan

Milan Fashion Week was all about that classic beauty with a hidden wild side. Some preferred a sexier approach like Versace and Philipp Plein, while others opted for a more conservative look like Tod's and Iceberg. As usual, Jeremy Scott took a little piece of our childhood and made fashion fun by integrating cartoon characters into his collection. Another theme that made an appearance was motherhood at Dolce & Gabanna where children of models appeared on the runway. Colour was a major part of Milan Fashion Week at shows like Philosphy di Lorenzo Serafini, MSGM and Emilio Pucci. But some designers opted for a more neutral approach like Trussardi and Ermanno Scervino. I suppose you could say there was something for everyone in Milan and isn't that the sign of a great season?


Here were my top five favourite collections:

 ERMANNO SCERVINO 

Ermanno Scervino will be remembered as the brand that invented puffer chic. From this angle, next winter will amp up the cold weather look with bulky white coats, feathered skirts, and fur trimmed hoods. Though it began with a shapeless puffer, it proceeded to teach us all about femininity with skirts and dresses from flirty flares to sophisticated and skintight. A woman in these clothes possesses a certain charm in a little red dress (LRD) and oversized fur coat. And if she's going to wear a print, it's going to be houndstooth, the classiest print on the market. From black and white to cobalt blue, the collection introduced a splash of colour on high waisted flowy pants and coats with floral appliques. It eased back into neutral territory with the final selection of looks in tan and khaki, military style. The military woman let loose at the very end with some sparkle and white fluff bringing out the sexy woman that she is.

FAVOURITE LOOK: 2

via style.com

ROBERTO CAVALLI

We entered the world of Cavalli as we generally do with a bold animal printed dress for the sexy party girl who lives for the attention. Though the designer stayed true to his signature leopard print on coats, dresses, and blouses, Cavalli introduced bold yellow as his colour of choice to compliment the leopard print accessories. A yellow jumpsuit with a belted waistline and a frilly yellow dress complimented by a leopard print vest kept Cavalli's collection alive with lemony flavour. Though Cavalli targets the sexier women in the skintight dress, he added some flowy bohemian looks for the effortless diva who isn't afraid to take a fashion risk. There were some sparkly mini skirts and tight black pants giving the collection a disco feel. Combined with fur and feathers, this Cavalli woman was definitely ready for a night on the town. I call it "boho glam" with a wild side. It's the girl you wish you were and the one you're glad you're not simultaneously.

FAVOURITE LOOK: 29

via style.com

TRUSSARDI 

Trussardi took on a more basic approach with classic leather pencil skirts and structured coats in earth tones like brown, green, and beige. Though the designer kept it simple, it was obvious that she was targeting a very powerful woman. The mix of leather and fur added edge to this otherwise simple collection made for a femme fatale. This lady wears purple lipstick, an indication that you should never underestimate her. The militaristic cuts kept it clean cut and put together combined with oversized sweaters that were anything but sloppy. Though there were some conservative turtle neck dresses, the leather added a hint of danger and sex appeal that can only be seen by the perceptive observer.

FAVOURITE LOOK: 20

via style.com

PHILOSOPHY DI LORENZO SERAFINI

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a sucker for that ultra girly angelic look. Think frills, bows, and flared skirts. This collection offered me exactly that. It was the dessert of Milan Fashion Week with wide legged truffles, vanilla icing, and red velvet cupcakes (to put it metaphorically). Though it began with some more subdued cream coloured looks, some of our favourite fall colours were introduced towards the middle, including tan, burgundy, and mustard yellow. There were clearly some 70s vibes being projected with flared legs and high-waisted hems. Even the music felt a little old school. As the collection hit its closing point, the colours softened up with sheer baby blue gowns that could almost pass off for lingerie. It was sugary and spicy, and essentially, everything was nice.

FAVOURITE LOOK: 4

via style.com

DOLCE & GABANNA

As previously stated, Dolce & Gabanna was for the mommas of Milan who still have time to look elegant and put together. It was a statement towards women that beauty can be achieved regardless of familial responsibility. Or maybe it wasn't. Whatever you choose to believe, family has always been one of the strongest values for Dolce & Gabanna, as proven by their ad campaigns. Anyway, on to the clothes. As expected, the designers made this collection very much about roses and other forms of floral print in vibrant colours. This time, there was a sense that we were entering the garden of Eden with love letters splattered across the dresses like stationary. The dresses came in classic knee-length cuts but had enough flow to make them come alive. There were some standout earmuffs cascading down the runway on models decked in alphabet dresses. Does it get any more playful then that? These men may have gone to prison, but this collection was better than any other. Perhaps a little jail time was exactly what they needed to welcome a new flow of inspiration.

FAVOURITE LOOK: 64

via style.com

What did you think of Milan Fashion Week? Which collection was your favourite?

Ponder it,

XOXO,

Bella