Milan Fashion Week
We recently returned from a short trip to Italy, beginning
with Milan during Fashion Week. Milan,
capital of the Lombardy region in northern Italy which stretches from the Alps
bordering Switzerland to the flat plain of the river Po, is both the financial
and fashion capital of Italy. A fashion
design rival of both New York and Paris, Milan hosted more than 60 fashion
shows and more than 80 presentations with
800 showrooms throughout the city.
“This is an Italian city of progress and change” stated “King” Giorgio
Armani.
Before a glimpse at the fashions for spring, 2028, let’s
take a walk through the so-called “fashion quadrilateral” ( Via Montenapoleone,
Via della Spiga, Via Manzoni. And Via sant’Andrea). Flagship stores from Armani
to Versache along with many independent
boutiques offer a window-shoppers dream.
The one word I thought of as I viewed the fall and winter displays was
“texture”. Designs were often of
several fabrics, heavily textured (some bulky). The addition of animal furs ( and hair) both faux and real added additional layers which, at times
appeared to be in their natural state.
Long rovings of slightly curly fleece-like material hung from the waist
or hem of garments. (I called this the
“wet English sheep-dog look”) Other
trimmings were fine textured, obviously synthetic and highly colored, Even
handbags could not escape this furry look.
Prada
Prada
But you did not have to spend your Euros in the up-scale
establishments, as the market stalls offered much cheaper versions.
The promise of Spring was similar but slightly more
refined. Plaids and checks from head to
toe and multicolored jackets worn with cowboy boots. But there was also shimmer and glitz with Armani’s shiny black
suits and iridescent fabrics from Gucci.
But fear not, fringe was still shown , now floating on the hemline of
long dresses.
Though those of us who do not walk the red carpets , do not
greet heads of state, nor jet around the world with valets to care for their
wardrobes can still appreciate these outpourings of fashion creativity. The “trickle-down effect” soon reaches the
ready-to-wear consumers and don’t we all want to be in fashion?
