Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Autumn’s fashion trends are all “about strength, about power. About reclaiming our lives,” said the chairman of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, Tom Ford. The Milan Fashion Week certainly did not disappoint in any of these departments. Held from February 23 until March 1, the Italian event placed a spotlight on such gems as tiny mini skirts, faux fur and quilted evening wear.
Here are some of the fashion standout takeaways from this year’s Milan Fashion Week, as noted by the founder of www.stylespring.co.uk.
Neutral Tones
Forget electric greens and pinks. Nature is cool and nature-inspired hues are all the rage this year (subdued olive greens are a particularly popular choice for suede and plush garments). After all, earthy colors go with pretty much anything, which means making a statement this year will be easier than ever. Still, mixing and matching is crucial to making an impact, so don’t think it’s all going to be a walk in the park.
Sex Appeal
It’s official: the little black dress, affectionately referred to as LBD, is back in. This was never as evident as when models adorned in Valentino’s punkish minidresses hit the runway. Besides the high hems, the hits of this year’s event included low-slung hot pants, knee-high boots and sexy off-the-shoulder looks.
Fashion designer Pierpaolo Piccioli aptly commented after the show: “It’s the radical act of having the strength to be who you are; that’s what I mean by romanticism today. It’s a subjective, almost anarchic gesture, assertive of one’s own identity—exactly like punk.”
Knitwear and Quiltet Eveningwear
Once worn by British and Scandinavian seafarers and fishermen to keep warm, knitwear is once again gaining in popularity, although for completely different reasons. Forget boring ankle-long dresses your grandmother might have worn because today’s knit offerings are short and spunky (think off the shoulder bralettes and stylish pencil skirts). Danish designer Cecilie Bahnsen has gone a step further with her Autumn/Winter Collection. What can we say: watch out for her imaginative quilted taffeta and silk pieces.
Faux Fur and Retro Looks
Not just stylish and comfortable, but also cruelty-free, fuzzy faux fur designs were clearly visible at this year’s annual fashion extravaganza. From Prada and Marni to Sportmax, fake fur made inroads into old-school Hollywood silhouettes and bold shaggy edges on garments. Better still, the 1970s-style shaggy coats came paired with the glitzy retro halter dresses. What else could you ask for.
Puffers and Ponchos
Last but not least, puffers are back in. However, don’t confuse this year’s offerings with the traditional, basic puffer jackets. The Italian fashion brand Marni went all out, giving a variety of new shapes to standard insulated jackets (think puffer capes).
Meanwhile, the Italian designer Robert Cavalli experimented with puffy animal prints. Sticking with winter offerings, Salvatore Ferragamo’s collection showcased ponchos as biodegradable PVC toppers that are both good for you and good for the planet.
