Bottega Veneta Fashion Show Milan Womenswear SS2016

#animalistic and #sporty probably were often used hashtags at the Bottega Veneta show this morning. Inspired by the outdoors Thomas Maier opened his show with a hoodie and 7/8 pants done in nature inspired (camouflage meets mosaic) and leopard prints. A look that set the mood for one of the most laid back Veneta collections in a while, evolved around themes like hiking and sailing. Grommet, ropes and fishnet detailing referred to the latter (seen earlier at SportMax too). Models wearing their hair in post-gym knots looked look like they’d been outside, trekking, walking, living. “The more I can get out of an urban environment, the better it gets,” said the Miami-based German designer. A mix of fleece, calf and lots of craftsmanship detailing added dept to the looks. Leather lining and satin ribbons not only gave perfect shape, together with the large pockets and zippers they added to the sportive vibe of some looks too. The silhouette was athletic as well. Those 7/8 pants, hooded tops with tucked up sleeves, midi skirts with short stiff leather jackets and a variety of cocktail dresses (suitable for most diverse occasions) in the mix. A blunt bundle of eclecticism and freedom in a collection that went back and forth with it’s dress code. Therefore we’re not quite sure in what style category we’ll place it, but there’s time to evaluate. Needless to say the accompanying leather bags were impeccable.

Versace Fashion Show Milan Womenswear SS2016

Who run the world? Beyoncé knows. And Donatella knows too for sure. For this show it felt like those two leading ladies have been sharing the same thoughts: Who are we as women? And are we happy with who we are and the life we’re living? The Versace squat that walked down the runway seem to have the answers. The soundtrack of the show was ‘Transition’ by producer and DJ Violet and Friends, and was originally recorded to commemorate International Women’s Day. The perfect song for a show that was dedicated to all women regardless of age, color, religion, sexuality, or what sex they were born with. And that woman is matured, confident and sexy by nature, ready to bloom and explore in the urban jungle. She’s fierce and fragile at the same time. As a girlboss you don’t always have to be harsh, bitchy or have any other unhealthy attitude, sometimes you just have to let the clothes do the talking. And according to Donatella that means long time smashers such as animal prints, snake textures, sharp tailored suits, belted army blazers, platform shoes reaching sky high and lots of sexy dresses. No Versace show would be complete without some I-need-this-right-now dresses, right? We all need from time to time some off-shoulder, sheerness and cut-outs to reveal our best assets. Perhaps not at the office (try the military jacket!), but definitely at a party or any other sexy and fun occasion. It was a surprisingly mature and strong collection, without being too flashy or trashy. Sensuality and womanliness seem to be redefined. At least, for now. And so we end up with one more question: Would this be Versace’s new direction or just a fling?

Streetfashion Milan Womenswear SS2016, Day 3

What are they wearing during the international fashion weeks? A Valentino dress, that vintage Dior or their latest Celine skirt? During the fashion weeks we refresh our streetwear posts regularly. We don’t judge, we’re not the fashion-police, we just enjoy fashion and your own personal style. Next stop: Milan Fashion Week.

SportMax Fashion Show Milan Womenswear SS2016

Forget sailor hats, bateau necklines and Breton stripes; at Sportmax we were presented with a different type of sailor chic. A nautical collection less obvious although every now and then still very blunt. Modern and slightly minimalistic (if it wasn’t for the chain motif, large eyelets and big buttons) were the jumpsuits, sailor pants, boxy jackets and shift dresses in a mix of black, blue, white, tangerine and yellow. Bright yellow, done in leather inspired by the looks of a sou’wester, that got large fish net prints on it towards the end of the show. And we can assure you, a fishnet never looked this chic.
No figure hugging, chest baring or leg revealing here. These were maritime looks for the sophisticated. Making the collection suitable for a large target audience. And they might have been cruise inspired, they’re not necessarily best to take with you on a tropical trip. These pieces belong to the wardrobe of a city girl.

Fendi Fashion Show Milan Womenswear SS2016

There were no references in Fendi’s show. “Retro is over”, stated Karl Largerfeld backstage. And he might just be right. When will fashion be done with the looking back and using bygone decades as an inspiration? Like always Karl Lagerfeld (and his design partner at Fendi Silvia Venturini Fendi) took the lead and decided that time is now. And so their SS2016 collection felt fresher than a daisy.
Would you think every possible piece of fashion has already once been designed, Fendi proved there’s still so much newness to explore. Like those billowy skirts and leather harnesses, like high waisted pants and leather tops done in a palette of black, army green, air force blue and Soviet red. Like those high necks and puffy sleeves. Silhouettes were soft, feminine and billowy in contrast to the show’s urban (concrete everywhere) backdrop. Floral embroideries, whip stitching, braided and smocking effects turned every look into a one of a kind. Toughness vs femininity.
And if you thought those high necks were a Victorian reference or those strong shoulders must have been inspired by the eighties. Well, they were not. “When tradition meets the future, you don’t know what period anything is from”, Karl stated.
What a refreshing way of looking at fashion just like it is. No eighties, nineties or Victorian references here. Just 2016 exquisite summer wear like you’ve never seen before.

Streetfashion Milan Womenswear SS2016, Day 2

What are they wearing during the international fashion weeks? A Valentino dress, that vintage Dior or their latest Celine skirt? During the fashion weeks we refresh our streetwear posts regularly. We don’t judge, we’re not the fashion-police, we just enjoy fashion and your own personal style. Next stop: Milan Fashion Week.

Prada Fashion Show Milan Womenswear SS2016

If there’s one thing you can be sure about when it comes to Prada shows each season, it’s to expect the unexpected. So what to think of a show called ‘conservative eccentricity’? Miuccia Prada presented her Spring 2016 collection in a golden room, therefore they transformed the headquarters in Milan. All that gold interior matched perfectly with the heavy-metal mouths on the models, one of the most discussed details -same goes for the baby hairs- of the show. Gold mouths? Wait, what? How? Why? It was all the work of make-up mastermind Path McGrath. And you better get used to it, because what Miuccia Prada says normally goes.

This collection was, just like previous ones, based on the steady main pillars femininity, strength, and style. The main silhouette was a boxy jacket and skirt, which looked conservative indeed. But at Prada nothing is what is seems, so don’t fall for ‘just a jacket’ or ‘just a skirt’. We signed for modern tailoring with a twist. And that’s where the eccentricity comes in, that was translated into semi-transparant pieces revealing all there’s underneath (but still ladylike), XXL paillette lady coats, retro colours, extravagant accessories, bold metallic stripes or mixing so many different prints and textures that would’ve normally hurt your eyes but seem to work perfectly now. Miuccia Prada wasn’t present herself because of a family bereavement, but we would like to sent her a big bravo. She proved once more why she’s the leader of the fashion pack.

Max Mara Fashion Show Milan Womenswear SS2016

You know that moment, most times early in the morning, when you’re in hurry and you button up your coat in the wrong way? Like a weird asymmetric zig zag buttoning. And you go like: shit, another minute lost. Well that, according to Max Mara, wasn’t so bad after all. In fact, it’s runway material. The models showed many trenchcoats and double-breasted pea coats all buttoned up the wrong way. It was a fun and imperfect detail in the overal perfect, clean and modest mono-themed collection. Or as they called it on Instagram: Nautical simplicity with a luxury twist, which was accompanied by a backdrop and catwalk projected with waves. Who would’ve thought you could actually do walk on water? So yes, before we knew it we were checking off a sea of classic stripes, cotton maritime sweaters, the blue-white-ivory-red combinations, the rope handles on bags (their signature JBags even had ropes), gold buttons, semaphore flags, nautical symbols and sweet dolphin and seagull prints. The flared trousers, oversized sleeves, see-through details and starred tank tops added a little rock ‘n roll touch to it. Just like the soundtrack of the show ‘What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor’. Get on board, mate! This ship is ready for the waters. Drunk or not.

Gucci Fashion Show Milan Womenswear SS2016

Gucci’s new designer Alessandro Michele has some big shoes to fill, following up on Tom Ford’s version and Frida Giannini’s fashion eye. The heavy bearded Italian, who was appointed the new creative director of the billion-dollar Italian luxury brand at the beginning of this year, showed his third collection and took his feminine, rose-tinted ideas forward. History always looks better second or third time around, especially when you leave it to the hands of Michele. The women he sent out yesterday seem to be coming straight out of the seventies. The flared trousers and suits, bold glitter glasses, botanical embroidery crawling over, bow ties everywhere (how fun was the pineapple tie), lots of colour, the long sweepy dresses, ruffles from head to toe and what about the rick-rack trims. There was also a huge focus on fabrics: 18th Century brocades, metallic leathers, iridescent organzas, macramé and floral chiffons. All mixed and matched together. Everything was rich in detail and well thought. No room for nonchalance, modesty or primness, but enough room for romance and femininity. Underlined with many bold accessories, from dazzling bags to flower earrings and rings, dangling on arms and fingers. Some looks almost seamed like drawings on the model’s body. The collection may be quite bold or ‘naked’ for some of us, but it was full of want-it-now items.

Alberta Ferretti Fashion Show Milan Womenswear SS2016

At Alberta Ferretti the color code was, for a change, not girly nude and pink, but earthy. Sand, beige, terra cotta, mustard, tangerine, olive and ivory set the mood for a boho collection. One where suede and sheer dresses followed up on each other presented in front of a backdrop video of sand. Yet the overall feeling was light and airy, like you’d expect from Ferretti. A large part of the dresses was floor sweeping making some loose fitting outfits, like a coral red dress, a sand colored satin shirt dress, an off shoulder striped number, appear perhaps a little too shapeless. To reach a younger audience, that is. An audience whose attention Ferretti will definitely catch with this festival/safari chic presentation. Those macramé bodices, cropped lace tops, Victorian blouses, long dresses with high slits, sexy shorts will appeal to them for sure. A tangerine colored floor sweeping number seemed fit for queen Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones. On trend gladiator sandals to go, but perhaps best make a choice between statement necklace and earrings. In a finale of frayed dresses four feathered pieces seemed a little heavy, although they’ll look exquisite on a red carpet somewhere. It’s no secret creating dreamlike dresses has been Ferretti’s specialty over the years. Yet today the 65 year old designer proved she’s still in touch with a more casual, youthful and free spirited side too.

Our images will follow shortly.

« Previous Page — Next Page »