Giorgio Armani Catwalk Fashion Show Milan SS2012

With the Milan Fashion Week coming to an end Giorgio Armani presented his new collection this morning. A luxurious collection full of shiny silky designs. The looks were clean and simple but never dull. Low V-necks, sheer fabrics and the beautiful use of material made sure of that.

There was a lot of diversity in the looks; for every cute dress Armani made a shiny pair of pants too. Giorgio Armani’s spring women did feel somewhat middle-aged yet she looked stunning in his over the knee skirts, asymmetric dresses and pleated jackets.

The ending was gorgeous with three models in long sequined dresses appearing on the runway. It just was a great collection, although we would have loved to see some extra color.

Missoni Catwalk Fashion Show Milan SS2012

There’s no denying Missoni’s popularity. The immediate sell out of the Missoni x Target collection sure proved that. But as wearable and recognizable that more affordable line was, as unexpected was today’s spring collection.

Here too, models looked like gypsy women parading on the runway in colorful, layered designs with lots of jewelry. Tops and dresses were mostly off shoulder and the layered bottoms often had extravagant ruffles on them.

Fringes and sheer mesh pieces made it hard to picture everyday women in these outfits. And even though the color palette (purple, blue, yellow, chocolate, pink) was quite lovely, the asymmetric looks didn’t translate very well. There was just too much going on.

Perhaps Angela Missoni got carried away by the big success of the past few months. At least she felt good about the collection, made for the “happy girl, full of life”.

Moschino Cheap and Chic Catwalk Fashion Show Milan SS2012

For it’s Cheap & Chic collection fashion house Moschino chose vegetables and fruit as it’s inspiration. It was used throughout the whole collection, pretty literal. It started with the invitation, which had actual plating seeds in it. Then there were fruit ‘n veg stalls at the show as a backdrop. The soundtrack contained a song called Strawberry fields and of course there were the clothes…

The show opened with a – again pretty literal – strawberry dress, followed by some apple printed looks. We saw grapes and carrots too, as well as some amazing floral prints. It was a bit of everything related to fruit & vegetables actually.

Of course the accessories matched the subject. Models wore John Lennon glasses, straw hats and bows made of straw were attached to some of the looks. Even a carrot hat piece appeared at some point.

The puffy dresses were girly and fun, yet it were the maxi dresses which made the most impact. The looks were fun and bubbly, but not jaw-dropping. Perhaps Moschino should have focused a little less on the fruit prints, although we kinda loved the healthy vibe we got from this show.

Sportmax Catwalk Fashion Show Milan SS2012

Sportmax was shiny en shimmery but never in a too trashy or too girly way. The collection kept it’s cool through the printed tops and bottom full of studs, the shiny/sheer blouses and the holographic sweaters and suits.

The models looked easy chic as they strutted the catwalk to some very loud beats. They were confident; hands in their shorts’ pockets, messy hair, comfortable clothes. And what girl wouldn’t be? The camel/silver trench, the masculine navy suit, the holographic sweater and the final sequined 80s dress were to die for. They’re sure to be seen on many outfitblogs of international bloggers and after that it’s only a matter of time before those pieces are a big hit on the streets as well.

Emporio Armani Catwalk Fashion Show Milan SS2012

While most brands are celebrating summer with bright colors, floral and graphic prints Emporio Armani kept his collection clean and sober. Hardly any color, barely any joyful print at sight. He just presented a series of classic-looking black and white ensembles.

Black pieces got white lining and vice versa. Dresses felt like a mix between twenties and sixties, jackets were perfectly cut. All looks were completely accessorized by black & white boaters, corsages, see through collars, blond wigs and dark eyes. Nice little extras which the collection really needed. ‘Cause due to the lack of color it sometimes was hard to tell the differences between two looks and it sometimes felt like a little bit too much of the same thing.

Nevertheless there were some very good classic pieces, which the Emporio Armani woman can wear over and over again. Items that will stay fashionable and, thanks to the classic colors, she won’t get bored with very easily.

Trussardi Catwalk Fashion Show Milan SS2012

The spring/summer Trussardi collection was one of the first designed by brand’s new creative director Umit Benan. And for a newcomer, who has more experience in menswear, it was a good start.

Looks were clean, wearable and – indeed – somewhat menswear inspired. Oversized jackets were worn with pleated trousers, men’s shirts were mixed with high wasted pants and unisex items like jumpsuits, trench coats and tunic dresses were presented on the runway.

But even though a lot of the designs could’ve come straight out of a man’s closet, the models never looked too boxy/masculine. That is, thanks to the waist belts, elegant sandals and beautiful leather bags.

Every look seemed perfect according to today’s trends. There weren’t any surprises, but you could tell every piece of clothing was beautifully made. Kudos for Benan, he’s off to a good start!

Blumarine Catwalk Fashion Show Milan SS2012

It seems like cropped tops are going to be the hit of next summer. We spotted them in New York, London and now in Milan as well. At Blumarine they came in many versions; off shoulder, bandeau and biker jacket. Combined with shorts and skirts there was a lot of skin on show.

But maybe those items are exactly what you want during a hot summer. Besides there was enough to choose from for the more ‘formal’ summer events. Like cute black tea dresses with neon floral prints. Or matchy matchy (pajama) looks with colorful floral patterns on them.

Anna Molinari even showed a bit of a kinky side during the end of the show when she presented full black looks with crocodile leather, sequins and feathers. She could have held back a bit on the styling side, since all looks were a bit too much of everything. Those enormous floral accessories seemed a little childish too. Big earrings are one of the many trends for SS2012, but these ones just felt wrong.

But Molinari did show versatility. So if you’re not a big fan of the dark fetish theme, you might just fall in love with some of the bright, flirty fifties-style dresses.

C’N’C’ Costume National Catwalk Milan SS2012

The perfect mix of casual wear and sportswear, that’s how you’d describe the new C’N’C’ collection. It’s the right timing for the label, since sporty influences are a big trend for next spring.

And C’N’C’ used the theme beautifully in it’s new collection. Colors changed subtly during the show; from emerald green to white, yellow, nude, pink and black. Leather pants were mixed with cool tops and hoodies, all in one shade. Pants, which showed just a little bit of ankle were styled with short leather jackets. Blouses and tops made of sheer fabrics were worn over bandeau tops.

One by one outfits which you can easily work into your wardrobe and all looks in which you can do a good workout as well. That is, if you change the brogues and wedges into sneakers. Let’s just hit the gym!

 

 

Etro Catwalk Fashion Show Milan SS2012

Today’s Etro show was more graphical and lighter than previous collections. It was out with the good old paisley prints and in with the new digital ones. The clothes still looked as lovely as ever.

There were modern versions of twenties dresses, high waisted shorts and jumpsuits, done in an original mix of shades.

Fringes, pleated underskirts and eyecatching linings made the simple cut dresses extra special. And some enormous earrings and cute handbags topped it off.

 

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.

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