Milan - Wednesday Show Highlights

I have not had access to a computer for the past couple of days, so couldn't wait to see how Milan fashion week kicked off!

Below I have put some images of the Wednesday 21/09/2011 shows.

GUCCI

Gucci for me has appealed more and more each season.  And this season I am definately a fan...Look at the simple colour palette and beautiful embellishment on wearable clothes!  You definately can wear these clothes straigh off the peg.  And look a million dollars without trying.

The look in shaping is minimal, with clean, straight lines and sharp cuts in beautiful silk fabrics.  I am personally loving the dropped 20's inspired waist seam, which is turning out to be quite a trend alert for the SS12. season.  What I love about this collection is that the colour palette is kept simple.  The key colours that feature are white, Black, (that stunning) green, teamed with gold/silver embellishment.  What a stunner!  added extra trimmings also compliment this collection stunningly, such as the art deco inspired embellishment motifs on sheer panels, the horizontal embellishment used as a shape divider (top from bottom) and irridescent fringing (which I believe will be a key trim to be used and to be seen in!!)

I've never particularly wanted anything green in my wardrobe, but Frida Giannini has definately won me round this!

ALBERTA FERRETTI

Alberta Ferretti is one of my favourite designers.  I love her design aesthetic, everything tha she creates seems effortless and utterly desirable.

So for SS12, I was waiting for new pieces to admire from afar...and she certainly delivered!

I loved the cutout technique that she used throughout the collection and the way that she varied it ever so slightly to keep us interested and wanting more!  Cutout detailing has been particularly stong on the high street (at waist panels on dresses and arms on long tops) so it was nice to see the designer introduce new placed to hide and reveal.  She left us wanting more by applying cutouts (some with tonal embellishment) at full waist, in horizontal and vertical panelling, art deco inspired motifs and on trousers.  Although not all total cutouts, that was the intended look.

The use of tonal embellishment in dresses adds a sophistication and elegance, as generally when embellishment is applied for a high summer tribal story it tends to go multi coloured.  Not this time, the tribal girl has grown up! I love the segmentation of the beads, in what loks like Art Deco and tribal inspired motifs.

Theother feature I particularly liked about this collection was the use of floral print.  It reminded me much of the Proenza Schouler collection in terms of motif and colours used.  It is a new retro take on the hawaiian theme.

N21

I have recently discovered N21.  And I must say that I do really really like it!

It is headed by none other than Alessandro Dell'Acqua, which makes me like it even more.  He is not one to really follow/create trends, what he likes to do is to make a woman feel both comfortable and amazing in his clothes.  All in an elegant, yet quirky way (look at the way he pairs a simple light blue cotton shirt with a fully multi sized embellished skirt)

What  I liked about the collection was that the shapes used throughout are all wearable, but have some extra details to them that makes you look twice.  Such details include a simple shirt collar encrusted with beads and crystals, double layered hems in a variety of fabrics, unexpected piping and gathering for decoration and fastening options.  I particularly liked the use of that stunning silk satin fabric used for the elasticated hemmed dress and waist shorts.  What a colour! And what a fabric! A definite key fabric to be used in SS12, for that sporty chic look that is being seen as a strong trend possibility!

FRANCESCO SCOGNAMIGLIO

This is a total new designer for me.  So I checked him out!   

I have put some of my favourite looks from hi SS12 collection.  I loved the fact that he mixed strong, clean, tailored pieces with frilly, feminine items throughout the collection, also mixing fabrics along the way.

He used quite a lots of placement lace (both in contrasting and dyed to match colours) on tops/dresses/skirts.  All inserted by appliqué technique or by actual panelling.

The colour palette consisted of mostly white, black and peach, which were teamed with embellished tights (copper)  I particularly liked the layering of sheer pieces with the embellishment.  What a great look by the way,  might have to try it out!  Get me some tights, glue and beads presto!!