It seems that the theme for Milan Fashion Week hinders on the unexpected pleasure and lightness of being in love. The "walking on air" vibe is paramount for the energy of all the shows so far and Karl Lagerfield continued the tradition for Fendi on Sunday. His gorgeous gamines were fitted with sheer gauzy fare dipped in the usual spring pastels. Some of the outfits seemed to hinge on the lingerie effect making the overall production echo the desire of a woman in love and using her natural style to demonstrate her satisfaction. Chiffon blouses and dresses whisked by and short skirts cut high enough to reveal voluminous legs and a tapered waist. If Spring is the beginning of great expectations, then Fendi will certainly be a good place to start.
Being a well dressed woman entails effortless style and loads of confidence. Frida Giannini of Gucci relentlessly drove that image home for her Spring 2010 collection. Gucci has always been known for its sleek refined silhouettes and there was plenty of that on display. Giannini noted that she wanted this line to reveal a "dynamic and coherent vision of modern femininity". If this is any indication of what the future holds for all the fashionistas out there then there is a lot to look forward to. Again, there was a lot attention paid to the unique contours of the female form. From high-waisted pants that focused on leg elongation to dynamic cut out dresses of modest colors and fun prints, there was a lot to be celebrated. When it comes to a woman using her beauty and brains to take charge of the board room - Gucci is the word on the street.
It was a fantastical showing by Donatella Versace at her Spring 2010 production. There was a sense of fairytale romance in the air with the swishing of flowy and airy fabrics in pastel colorful hues and inspiring prints gliding down the Runway in a magical flash. Versace is a name synonymous with sex appeal which has always made the famed label a favorite of the Red Carpet. But this time around the sexual tone was brought down a notch to reveal simple elegance at its best. There was still some touches of glamour with the usual embellishments, metallics, and leather. There was also a healthy mix of short dresses, graphically cut to reveal either a sliver of leg or shoulder, and long gorgeous gowns with some featuring the empire waist detail encrusted with silver metallic. There was no shortage of the high voltage energy that usually accompanies a Versace display. One thing is for sure after this viewing - Love Is In The Air.
Giorgio Armani, the Italian mulit-faceted genius behind the Armani label powerhouse is at it again with his regal display of excess sexiness reminiscent of the 80's. He has always emphasized his need to be "hands on" when it comes to his method of production. And from the look of things he took his job very seriously. Again, legs and body form were the themes of the day. Fluffy, puffy dresses featured in mainly short lengths and every geometric cut possible blazed the Runway. The patterns and colors were also lively and feminine. He continued his love affair with well tailored suits that celebrate the female form. He played up every outfit with shiny embellishments, printed scarves and graphic patterns and shapes. Not everyone can go where Armani boldly dares to go. But thats what makes him the Master.
Milan Fashion Week kicks into high gear with the ultra cool and high altitude chicness of Miuccia Prada's much beloved line. The Runway set boasted incredible dramatics. With the brilliant use of giant projections, the audience had the pleasure of being transported to dreamy locales, from the beaches to a sexy chandelier lit room. Imagination and sex appeal was the theme of the day. The stunning display of outfits echoed those exact sentiments. Take note ladies! You have to be in amazing shape to venture into the world of Prada with comfort and ease. If you have legs that go on for days, then you are in luck because that was the basic requirement for all the outfits showcased on the Runway. The colors were bold and muted and the drapery sleek and polished with sprinkles of crystals encrusted on most of the accessories. This line demonstrated that a woman can have undeniable sex appeal and still be taken seriously. So for the job of donning Prada: Only Sexy Women Need Apply!
One of my favorite eras was beautifully recalled on the London Runway when British designer Luella Bartley showcased her candy girls for all the world to see. The Sixties are alive and chic again! Puffy party dresses were featured, some sporting polka dots and sweetheart necklines while others looked like they were dipped in a sugary syrupy mix as they sashayed down the catwalk boasting effortless chic. The girls all had the adorable bow detail in a variety of colors implanted in a their hair. To offset all the prettiness was the dramatic use of bold statements with the black rose print dress and a healthy mixture of graphic and diagonal fabrics and cuts. It was purely magical fun!
It was an absolute scrumptious delight witnessing the mouthwatering confections on display presented by English designer Matthew Williamson. Every design highlighted Williamson's appetite for the perfect cocktail dress. He is the master of tailored perfection. And he also knows how to recruit the right utensils to complete his masterpiece. There was no shortage sequins and sparkles to help up the ante. It was full on decadence! He also hyped his trademark futuristic mod-look with looks that featured cutouts and ruched details. Any woman lucky enough to don a Matthew Williamson number will most likely get spotted in a crowd. And thats why this beloved designer is likely to be around for a long time to come.