THE TOP 10 MILAN FASHION WEEK COLLECTIONS
The fashion pack has moved onto its fourth and final stop: Paris. But a little recap of the standouts from Milan before we head to the City of Light. After all there was a lot of light (and by light we mean fire) in Milan (we're looking at you, Roberto Cavalli and Philipp Plein). Seriously though, there was a lot to love in Milan. Here, our top 10 collections.
Costume National
Costume National embraced stark minimalism this season in the chicest way possible. Between a mostly white and black color palette were bursts of the most saturated colors just to remind you to pay attention. Not that anyone would have needed a reminder; it was pretty impossible to ignore the impeccable tailoring and the luxe fabrications.
Dolce & Gabbana
Sometimes you just want to believe in the fantasy of fashion. So thank goodness for Dolce & Gabbana, who staged their fall 2015 collection in an enchanted forest complete with knights in shining armor, Little Red Riding Hood, and adorable woodland creatures embroidered right onto the dresses.
Fendi
Mini Karl dolls aside, this was another strong show from Karl
Lagerfeld at Fendi. Who else could put fur and florals together and
make it work? Ok, and we really do want a mini Karl doll.
Gucci
Gucci took us back to the '60s with their fall collection, basically creating a dream wardrobe for Marcia Brady. From pink shaggy coats and knee-high boots to leopard print mini skirts, it was a virtual tour through a fashion show hosted by Dick Clark on American Bandstand. Ok, so maybe this collection is more for when Marcia Brady or the Bandstandettes grow up and become the wives of Wall Street tycoons but either way, the timeless references still hold relevance.
Marni
Designer Consuelo Castiglioni always appeals to an intellectual, arty type, and she did not disappoint her gallerinas with this collection. But those who try this collection on for size must be bold. This one is truly a more is more (more volume, more fur, more embellishments) kind of collection.
MSGM’s Massimo Giorgetti is a print master. Even in Milan’s serious environment, he manages to keep things light and fun. This season, fall meant florals, pastels, and cozy pink fur mittens. This is a great thing that he added to a collection that already has shoes, bags, and hats as part of its accessories diffusion. We never want to live in a world where fur mittens are not on the runways.
Alessandro Dell'Acqua somehow manages to perfectly combine that tailored ladylike Italian thing with a borrowed-from-the-boys sensibility. And we can't get enough of that floral print.
Prada
When is Prada not at the top of every list? This season Miuccia Prada's references might have been specific, intellectual, and lofty (she drew inspiration from avant garde German director Rainer Werner Fassbinder) but those brightly colored shearlings had mass appeal.
Stella Jean
Stella Jean’s African-inspired prints have been making waves for quite a few seasons, and while styling these printed pieces is the bread and butter of her design philosophy, this fall the collection does way more than show you “how to wear it.” Stella Jean has a great way of creating a fantasy world that is just wild enough for fashion but accessible enough for the everyday.
Tod's
It's only the second season of ready to wear for leather goods brand Tod's, but under the creative direction of Alessandra Facchinetti, the label has become one of the brands to watch out of Milan. The International New York Times' Suzy Menkes went so far as to call the show a “Céline moment.” This season Facchinetti wowed once again with beautiful boxy coats done in supple, shiny leather. We're digging those windowpane prints, too.
