Blugirl Catwalk Fashion Show Milan SS2012

Today Blugirl’s models looked like they were heading to some kind of tea party. They were elegantly dresses in cute summer dresses, skirts and tops. All looks were perfectly styled with the right kind of shoe, the perfect little vest, a cute little hat and some nice colored jewelery.

Pastel hues, nudes and bright floral prints made the girls look fresh and flirty. It was a perfect wearable and girly collection, which lots of women will appeal to. It would have been fun though, if we could have seen some more of the maxi-looks (the green maxi skirt with floral printed top was one of our favorite looks of the show). And perhaps a good pair of trousers for the colder days?

Anyway, when it comes to party looks the Blugirl will have more than enough to choose from. Let’s just hope she’s a fan of ruffles, sequins and bare legs!

Fendi Catwalk Fashion Show Milan ss2012

The models at the Fendi-show looked like housewives from the Sixties with their beehive hair and pleated dresses with apron-fronts. The collection Karl Lagerfeld presented reminded us of women cooking, baking and cleaning dressed in stiff apron-like dresses, black and white ensembles, bermudas and jackets. It was a no nonsense chic, with the fly-eye shades and cotton jackets, featuring bare shoulderparts and soft, shapely cuts to match the full skirts.

The tufted fur coats of mustard and green fox, wide mesh striped knits and multiple bangles worn up the wrist had a homespun appeal. While the sleeveless cable-knit jumpers – oversized in cream or black with sheer back panels – and the little jackets added a more casual feeling.

Max Mara Catwalk Fashion Show Milan SS2011

The sporty vibe initiated in NYC continues this week in Milan. This morning Max Mara too, presented us with some very sporty designs. Like oversized dresses worn with leggings and short leather ‘baseball’ jackets.

Yet sport wasn’t the only theme of the show; we spotted some minimalism and some sixties as well. Not the Twiggy kind of sixties though, no it was the pure aesthetic of that decade that inspired Ian Griffiths, head of the Max Mara design team. It was the futuristic silhouette and the clean lines that originated from that inspiration.

Everything looked like it was made for comfort. If a jacket didn’t need an extra pocket, it didn’t get one and all kind of other extras (zippers, belts, studs) were left behind for the ultimate minimalism look & feel.

The many camel and sandtones weren’t necessarily new for Max Mara, but the added turquoise hues gave the collection the right amount of summer freshness. It will be an easy-chic summer 2012 with Max Mara.

Streetfashion Milan Womenswear ss2012 Day 1

What are you wearing during the coming fashionweeks? Your Gucci-shoes, your latest Celine-dress or that vintage Givenchy? 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.

Alberta Ferretti Catwalk Fashion Show Milan SS2012

At Ferretti we saw sheerness in all kinds of places, shapes and sizes. Yet it was never overdone, it appeared subtle and sophisticated, like you’d expect from Ferretti.

The designs looked a little more sporty and minimalistic than before and a little less dreamy, which felt good. Due to the use of brights like tangerine, deep blue,  yellow and turquoise the outfits seemed more modern and youthful too.

Exotic prints gave the collection a hippie kinda twist, yet Ferretti managed to still keep it very chic.

Apart from a few beaded bags the styling was as simple as it can be; no extreme make-up or hairdos, hardly any jewelry, not a lot of layering.

Ferretti let her ensembles speak for themselves and they sure spoke beautifully.

John Richmond Catwalk Fashion Show Milan SS2012

With thick eyeliner and colorful lips Richmond’s models paraded on the Milan catwalk today. They looked sexy to the max in their shiny, see-through, embellished dresses. As the show went on the level of sexiness increased.

While some of the first looks seemed appropriate for a business meeting, many of the outfits appeared even too daring for a cocktail party. Like the long black sheer dress with the low v-neck, the mesh top with the strategically placed leather breast pockets or the white/sheer glitter dress with long fringes at the bottom. None of them looks which a lot of women would leave the house in.

Yet the Richmond women perhaps will. They will lunch in the skirt and blouse ensembles, they will join their husbands on a boat trip in some of the simple dresses and jackets and they will seduce others in the over the top sheer designs. It will be a perfect summer 2012.

Gucci Catwalk Fashion Show Milan ss2012

From the flowing, moody jewel-colored Seventies style to a more constructed, hard and geometric jazzy style – that’s the turn Gucci-designer Frida Giannini took this season. And this anniversary-collection looks quite different. Polished as ever, but with jazzy influences (flapper-dresses), references from the Twenties and Thirties, Louise Brooks, African Art and Man Ray. But also the geometric lines of the art deco style the American way – as in the Chrysler building – and the metallic surfaces. Giannini herself said in the show-notes she wanted to show an optical side of femininity, a sculptural glamor.

Well, glamorous it was, and polished but somehow it lacked a certain softness and sensuality. Maybe it’s because of the mix of equestrian elements like striped, double-breasted jockey-jackets, the green/ocre/white and black. Or the straight lines and hard metallics.

Hopefully we’ll find more of Gucci’s sensual warmth in the museum that’s soon to be opened in Florence.

 

 

Hello Milan!

The team landed in Milan yesterday and we’re ready to give you all ins and outs about the womenswear-collections ss2012 in Milan plus streetwear-posts. Also: check our video’s.  Today we start with Gucci and Alberta Ferretti. You will see the pictures and reviews later this afternoon. Enjoy!

 

Menswear Trend Report SS2011: Checks Please!

Checks are always present in the new menswear collections and this season was no exception. From D&G to Hermes, Dries van Noten, Kenzo, Viktor & Rolf and Versace; all used checks in their spring/summer 2011 collections.

D&G placed them on their summer blouses, Dsquared, Hermes and John Richmond opted for a checked shirt and Versace, Zegna and Dries van Noten presented checked tailored suit jackets.

Though the completely checked look can be too much for anyone who doesn’t work in fashion, you certainly can’t go wrong with just one checked item. Go for some large checks (this seems to be the trend this season) and complete your look by adding clean one-colored items.

Check out our gallery above for some inspiration.

Round Up Paris/Milan Menswear SS2012

Responding to the shout out for creative design, as cited by Suzy Menkes in International Herald Tribune, we proceed like cherry pickers this season. Heading for fun and unexpected novelty we picked out the more juicy and snappy influences. Starting with the ETHNIC, here as a proven of artisanal excellence by Burberry Prorsum. Stating the omnipresence of THE DEEP BLUE, the most-favoured shade of the season (Dries van Noten). Happily shaken up by mashed up CHECKS as masterly executed by Raf Simons. Soothed by relaxed SANDBLASTED Sahara tailoring (Salvatore Ferragamo) appealing to our sense for well being. To conclude with the big bouncer, a fun feel for ECCENTRIC, with which Prada, amongst others, keeps up the spirit.

ETHNIC

Tribal pattern meets sporty elegance. Military tailoring adds detail to most minimal silhouettes. The story is mainly about pattern and finishing. Maasai warriors line up with modern day happy hippies. In warm earth and spice tones mingled with happy brights. The Burberry Prorsum collection is exemplary and celebrates its artisan roots.

 

THE DEEP BLUE

The international catwalks were flooded with deep, dense blue. Some items gleaming in wet look surfaces where others more natural and relaxed. Tension in graduated toning and shading as well as in texture where structure meets softness and natural meets high-tech. Roomy parkas and trench coats come in silks as well as nylon and sporty shorts layer long pants.

 

CHECKS

Checks serve the feel for pattern and print. From classic tartans and plaids at Gaultier, intricate kinetic patchwork at Raf Simons to slim silhouettes in black and white 60s mod checks at Gucci. Moncler Gamme Blue speeds up towards a more racy and sporty flow.

 

SANDBLASTED

Travelling south to Côte d’Azur while heading for Sahara desert. Safari and utilitarian jackets and pants with khaki as a key color. Jackets are belted and pants are wide at Salvatore Ferragamo. YSL presents some surprising placed lace-up details. Fabrics are plain and natural in pure cotton and linen looks.

 

ECCENTRIC

Think American tourists playing golf in the 50s. A touch of Hawaii and American retro with a fun dose of bad taste. Tailored, double-breasted suits mismatch with loud clashing floral printed shirts or pants. Western shirts embellished with rhinestones, recall memories of young Elvis. Prada and Kenzo spice up there ranges with funky, colourful accessories

 

 

SPORTSWEAR

The Olympics next year seem to have energised the runway shows and positioned sport at the heart of fashion. Outdoor inspiration leads to functional garments with a utilitarian foundation. Hiking, fishing, sailing and hunting as well as golf, all fuelled with a healthy dose of irony. Mesh serves as a key fabric look at both Dolce & Gabbana and Moncler Gamme Bleu.

 

FOULARD

This will become big! Celine was the one to set off with foulard prints last season, with Prada in her footsteps starring panel printed monkeys and bananas. Now time is ripe for a true 80’s Versace revival of loud head to toe decorative foulard patterns as staged by D&G. Brave, bold and baroque. It concludes in a look reminiscent of muscle boys as photographed by Bruce Weber and Herb Ritts in the 80’s.

Stylespot is a collaboration with Stijlinstituut Amsterdam

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