Blugirl Catwalk Fashion Show Milan FW2012

 

The Blugirl show felt as if we stepped into Anna Molinari’s very own doll house. In her colorful richly accessorized looks her models portrayed cuteness to the max.

First we met with her college girls, dressed red, blue and green in argyle sweaters and toggle coats. Then Anna introduced her pastel pretties, in fur light colored looks, topped off by pastel shades earmuffs. The third group of models were Blugirl’s Snowbunnies in fully white and off white outfits which had a shiny detail here and there. And models in party dresses (black from head to toe) closed the show.

The collection was girly, young and great fun to watch. Styled in a more subtle way some of those unique items will be pretty damn wearable too.

 

Alberta Ferretti Catwalk Fashion Show Milan FW2012

Alberta Ferretti surprised most of the audience with a dark collection, dark in color and atmosphere. It was a relatively restricted, severe silhouette and moodier color-palette – but still pretty. To fashion-reporters Alberta Ferretti explained she wanted a wardrobe for a strong, modern woman who has to keep up with today’s challenges. Well, all she needs is a sharp coat, a chunky knit and a multi–functional dress or skirt with chiffon top. Black, purple and blue were the main colors with some hues of white, orange and gray. Evening-wear followed the line of the body in anatomical seams.

Max Mara Catwalk Fashion Show Milan FW2012

Bauhaus architecture and the movies of Fritz Lang were inspirations for MaxMara’s clean shapes accentuated by a single sharp detail or contrast, like a wool coat with a skirt of shaven fur or wool jersey tops banded in crocodile-print leather. There were also wool dresses and jackets with draped backs that reminded of  a classic couture shape, and a revival of the jumpsuit, now looking like a short  wool jacket with slim trousers. Sometimes it had a  naval character with the navy blue coats, breton-striped shirts and wide pants. And not only the navy went through the collection, also trher military influences.

N21 Catwalk Fashion Show Milan FW2012

That was quite a style-icon Alessandro dell’ Aqua took as an inspiration for his fall-collection: Queen Elizabeth. Especially how the queen dresses in her private life.  The designer played with a masculine-feminine theme, using mannish fabrics like tweed, which he softened with ultrafeminine details. These looks included a tweed minidress with an organza overlay and an apronlike dress in the same fabric with a subtle lace hem, or a macramé top tucked into a jeweled skirt.

Streetfashion Milan Womenswear FW2012 Day 1

What are you wearing during the fashionweeks? Your Miu Miu-shoes, your latest Jil Sander-jacket or that vintage Gucci? Maybe we’ll spot you in Paris, Milan, New York or Amsterdam. During the fashionweeks 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.

Gucci Catwalk Fashion Show Milan FW2012

In a palette of purple, navy, forest green, dark brown and black Frida Giannini presented a dark, romantic Gucci collection. She called it modern day romanticism, wit a touch of military, dandy and elegance. There were flat heeled riding boots, wide cut, cropped jackets with gold buttons and softly belted velvet smoking jackets. There was more velvet in the appliqué flowers on translucent chiffon and lace blouses. Skirts had a split in the back, riding trousers flounced wide over each thigh and the full lengtht column dresses were shiny and glittering. Giannini focused on day clothes worn in texturally intense layerings. It sometimes reminded of good old Yves St. Laurent.

The evening-gowns were spectacular, and aimed at the coming next Oscar red-carpet moment.

Salve Milano!

We’ve arrived in Milan, where tomorrow Gucci will kick off the fall 2012 Fashion Week in Milan. We’ll keep you posted.

Menswear: it’s all in the accessories

Spring is not far away, but in Europe it’s still winter. So we still stay close to the wintertrends – just in case you’re looking for a hat, boots or bag.

 Boots

Karl Lagerfeld is wearing them for years and will probably never take them off: his black heeled boots. And he’s absolutely right, because this fashionable footwear is everything a man needs this winter.

While women are already hooked for years, finally our men seem to be down for this timeless and ultra comfy footwear. Even the trouser- in- shoe- style seems to be accepted right now. While boots used to be worn by the rebels and mavericks, they now veered into high fashion territory. Labels like Burberry, Alexander McQueen, Kris van Assche, Bottega Veneta and Ann DeMeulemeester showed us masculine and sturdy boots. And also on the streets we find many men walking in them.

Most popular this season is for sure the combat boot, based on the actual military boot worn by soldiers. We saw them already last year, mainly because of the huge military trend, but this time the designers gave a little twist to it. They played with different colors and textures and combined brogues, sporty and grunge elements into one. Not convinced yet? Just take a look at these men…

Classic hats

They used to be the ultimate style element for a man in the twenties en thirties and for some men it still is: the classic hat. After the huge popularity in the early Nineteenth Century – think American entertainers like Humphrey Bogart and Frank Sinatra – this iconic item sadly enough disappeared for years because it became an item that was more for the older and conservative man.

But in the Nineties it was pop icon Michael Jackson that made this phenomenon incredibly popular again. Flipping his head while doing the moonwalk. And many stars followed his lead later on, like Justin Timberlake and Black Eye Peace front singer Will.i.am. They showed that a hat is something that everyone man could en should wear on every age, and not only in a classic way.

And that’s exactly what the designers showed us too this season. While still most popular worn with a suit, a hat can be worn with almost everything and in every style. From fedora chic to Mafioso cool. Preferably right on the head and a little bit over the eyes. Take a look at the photos to see which style will suit you well…

Bags

Bags, you can’t have enough of them, at least if we ask most women. But for men it has always been a little bit different. Why carrying a bag all day when you can put your stuff in your pocket? But it seems that they’ve changed their minds. For the last few years we’ve seen more and more men walking with a so-called man bag. And not just a bag, but a real it- bag that fits perfectly with their outfit. Even a clutch is no longer a no go area. Thanks to male celebs and style icons like Pharrell Williams, Kanye West and David Beckham, showing off their Louis Vuitton and Prada purses, men seem to no longer be ashamed to be spotted with a man bag.

And this is not only noticeable in the streets but the catwalks are also full of it. Man bags are coming in a wider range of size, type, color and material. They’re masculine, aesthetic and perfect to finish off your outfit for any occasion. Like the Bottega Veneta super size casual chic purses or the structured clutches from Louis Vuitton to smarten up your look. So do not longer be afraid to get in touch with your feminine side, because the man bag is slowly becoming a real wardrobe essential.

Eva Dusch

Arrivederci Milano!

See you all back in Milan in february! Up to Paris now.

Streetfashion Milan Menswear FW2012 Day 4

What are you wearing during these menswear fashionweeks? Your Prada-shoes, your latest Versace-jacket or that vintage Gucci? Maybe we’ll spot you in Paris, Milan, New York or Amsterdam. During the fashionweeks 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 Menswear Fashion Week.

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