Dries van Noten Catwalk Fashion Show Paris FW2012

Dries van Noten delivered another piece of print-art yesterday with his fall 2012 collection. It was innovative, colorful, ultra-chic and real. The Belgian designer was inspired by historical Chinese, Korean and Japanese costumes he saw at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. He photographed the garments for large scale prints which he cut into various pieces to create graphic blocks. So the side of a beautiful patterned oriental coat became the decorative motif for a skirt etc. The collection was ultra elegant with that typical Van Noten menswear touch which made it wearable and cosmopolitan.

Dolce & Gabbana Catwalk Fashion Show Milan FW2012

It seemed a never ending collection that Dolce & Gabbana sent out this afternoon. A collection that captured Italy’s love for drama and opera. Pavarotti was on the soundtrack singing O sole mio and out came the models dressed in baroque black velvet and gold brocade, covered with dramatic capes, dresses embroidered with images of painted old theater-ceilings. Even the earrings looked like little cherubs and shoes reminded of theater furniture and decorations.

The press release said the starting-point was the tradition of Sicilian Baroque, which evolved in volumes and processes, experimenting in new cuts and decorations: golden embroideries that recall Baroque mirrors and frames or embroideries made of small points inspired by dining room tapestries; prints of cherubs and angels that appear to have come out of a painting.

Emilio Pucci Catwalk Fashion Show Milan FW2012

Peter Dundas, the British designer working for Emilio Pucci, surprised the audience with a complete different collection – far from Pucci heritage of paisley swirls and moving prints. He took his own wardrobe as a starting point. So masculine tailoring and fabrics dominated, as did black, and a minimalist hugging silhouette. The focus was at tight dresses with sexy splits and slits revealing slices of sheer, he also used velvet prints at sheer fabrics. Later the same idea got more bejeweled. For evening Dundas suggested beside the sexy dresses classic tuxedos, or tuxedo-elements.

Milan streetfashion video fall winter 2012 season

Take a sneak peak on the streets of Milan and watch the fashionable people around the shows of fashion week.

Marni Catwalk Fashion Show Milan Womenswear FW2012

Control and precision; grace that is dry, assertive, with a hint of tension. An idea of graphic composition permeates the Marni collection for fall 2012: pure lines, decisive volumes. As if obeying to a precise layering plan, outfits have a constructivist feel with a sleek outlook and a tactile intensity.
The silhouette is neat and precise, to-the-knee, with a dropped waist. There’s an idea of clothing as a soft, architectural element. Exact capes create a firm halo around the body. Decoration turns into construction, playing with the weight of surfaces.  An air of grace and rigor runs through: the neck is always covered. Prints are used as an accent: a single outsized flower, papiro jacquards and brocades.
The palette has notes of butter, crimson red, clear blue with touches of pink, blush, tan and broken with notes of black, tobacco and saffron. Fabrics have a compact hand: silk wool double-face, lurex jacquard, wool crepe. Exaggerated, oversized patent leather and snakeskin add weight and presence.

Antonio Marras Catwalk Fashion Show Milan FW2012

Inspired by singer Milly, a singer who was a living metaphor for Milan in the 20th century (and the lover of the king of Italy), Antonio Marras presented a stunning series of fall/winter clothing.

His pieces were detailed and romantic. Worn on the runway they were like little pieces of art translated into contemporary womenswear.

Marras’ designs represented Milly’s souvenirs from all the places she had been and all the men she had loved. And without knowing what those might have been, you could see the clothes were telling a story.

Gorgeous tweeds (perhaps from a coat of one of Milly’s lovers?), English walpaper florals (from one of the rooms she may have slept in), embroidered fall leaves (which might once have decorated a skirt or dress) and richcolored slightly graphic  patterns (origanited from an old tapestry?) together formed a rich and classy mix.

Used on structured coats, pencils skirts and blouses with pointed collars they made the young models look like graceful, elegant ladies. Ladies with an exquisite, original taste of fashion that is. And though the designs might have had a classic forties touch to them; every single one of the looks will easily create a wow-moment seventy years later, in winter 2012/2013.

Sportmax Catwalk Fashion Show Milan FW2012

An old skool hip hop mix of Busta Rhymes tunes and Missy Eliot raps awaited us at Sportmax this afternoon. An up beat vibe to emphasis the youthfulness of this sporty collection.

Structured looks made out of technical materials breathed an urban style. 3D materials created a beautiful graphic silhouette, while zipper details and athletic lines accentuated the sporty touch.

Quiltd Nylon, padded embroideries and techno-matelasse might not be the most feminine materials for a womenswear collection. Yet thanks to the use of micro sequins, metallic snaps and decorative jacquards the looks were still graceful and classy.

With sport details being a huge trend this collection will be a definite hit. Especially the deep purple designs, introduced at the end of the show, are bound to be the best selling pieces for upcoming fall.

Jil Sander Catwalk Fashion Show Milan FW2012

With hist last collection for Jil Sander, Belgium designer Raf Simons tried to tell a poetic story of the hours in a couple’s domestic life, from a woman’s morning lingerie to wool coats and black cocktail dresses. This show contained all the designs Simons surprised us with over the past few years, a fully modern perspective on construction and deconstruction, on feminine colors, on magical ideas. And we are going to miss him for that.

Simons made his final Sander collection one of positive beauty, poetic, gentle and refined. He opened with double-faced clutch coats in  pale pink and dove gray, tobacco and bright pink – with a hint to late-Fifties couture. He then went to dresses with an innovative lingerie reference. He even used PVC looked for folded dresses and skirts and they looked lovely rather than aggressive.

Jil Sander might return to teh house she left years ago, but it’s going to be a totally different ball game for her. Raf Simons proved what he is capable of and he will just improve every season. It won’t be easy for Jil Sander to equalize what he left behind.

Emporio Armani Catwalk Fashion Show Milan FW2012

Today’s Emporio Armani looked like fun. Fun to wear and fun to watch. Outfits were outspoken when it came to silhouette and print. Besides they were finished off in all kinds of playful ways (ethnic, chunky jewelry and eye catching hats).

We saw cut out jersey jackets, combined with striped, structured skirts and berets. Models wore knee high shorts with woolen vests and wide decorated hats. Fringed coats were presented next to tweed and polka dot versions. And there were some peplums in the mix as well.

Along the way Armani, who is always a great fan of the basic shades (black, blue, grey) experimented with busy prints and rainbow colors. He presented some great colored coats and skirts in line with the fun colored trend of the moment and perfect to brighten up a dark day. It might have been slightly out of his comfort zone, but we would love to see that ethnic/bright colored Emporio more often.

 

Bottega Veneta Catwalk Fashion Show Milan FW2012

The fall-collection of Bottega Veneta exuded in precision and discipline, with lean silhouettes and narrow fit. There were tailored jackets and skirt suits cut straight. It was just simple, chic elegance in black, navy and maroon. Fabrics were rich and decorations modest, a big brooch, pendants and earrings. Controlled, but not forced.

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