The new autumn/winter fashion trends shown at Milan Fashion Week seem to indicate optimism and audacity. After a serious decline of 15 percent last year, Italy’s fashion industry is coming back strong.
The emphasis at the January showing was on ‘new’ to the point of avant-garde in many cases. A lot of fur, touches and splashes of bright colors, and big time creativity made for a spectacular presentation.
Designers and directors are looking at the economy in general and to some extent they are thinking of who can afford to buy their creations and what will appeal the most. Neiman Marcus fashion director Ken Downing mentioned the idea that women love new additions; they aren’t likely to buy something they already have.
If this is true, the options are certainly out there. The collections presented striking contrasts and mixing of fabrics, textures, colors, prints and accessories. Armani’s collection included sleeveless dresses in tiger stripes and embroidery, and Gucci offered dresses sporting metal collars and cuffs, with slits to show some skin.
Donatella Versace used zips in her biker chic line, putting them on jackets, trousers and dresses matched with chunky-heel boots. Thomas Maier, creative director for Bottega Veneta, put contrasting leather tops and wool sleeves on silk dresses, while Dolce and Gabbana presented their second line with knit tops combined with chiffon skirts and furry boots. Blumarine were all sexy coulorful shorts.
Though a lot of the latest creations are striking and even startling, designers are aiming to entice a wide range of buyers, and Marigay McKee of Harrods said of the new showings that they are “more of an evolution than a revolution.”
Related posts:
