Milan has missed two star maisons in its week-long schedule—both Gucci and Bottega Venetta were absent this year—but that does not necessarily mean that we should have tuned out. The fashion capital and Repubblica Italiana has its fair share of heritage fashion houses and emerging stars so the list is rarely left wanting; some non-local designers have chosen to take their collections to Milan, too. But, such a prestigious event with distinguished names and labels partaking will inevitably lead to some stars shining more than the others. Here are some of our favorites from the recently concluded series of fashion shows in Milano:
Etro
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Etro is all shades and hues of fun during the Milan Fashion Week with its surf- and hippie-inspired pieces. The designs brought to the runway the same feelings we’ve come to associate with the 1960s flower children: happy, carefree, and open-minded, especially with the eclectic styles we’ve seen so far. Veronica Etro’s collection includes a variety of garments and accessories, which even extends to homeware. Going back to what the counterculture represented and how they dressed seems more timely than ever, and the appearance of the retro pieces on the runway does not seem out of place even if they took after designs of decades’ past.
Versace
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Versace Spring 2019 collection seems to be more toned down compared to its previous shows, but the whole thing was still a delight because of the colors and prints, the multi-generational cast, and the surprise appearance of one of the modeling world’s most elusive stars. Donatella’s show has been a mixture of styles—there were neons, floral prints, tight silhouettes, logomania, and contrasting patterns. The catwalk is also to-see because it was a presentation of who’s who in modeling; it has been graced by today’s It girls such as the Hadid sisters, Kendall Jenner and Kaia Gerber, as well as the now rarely seen Queen of Cool Freja Beha. The main hightlight, however, goes to Shalom Harlow, a Versace favorite back in the nineties and the noughties, concluding the show.
Marni
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Francesco Risso’s show for Marni may just be one of his finest so far. For Spring, the designer maintains the classics that the brand is known for, and revels in the use of bright, bold colors, and architectural, occasionally avant-garde constructions. The presentation even signals a refinement of Risso’s style compared to his time over at Prada: the feminine designs were soft to the eyes and fit more nicely on the body. He lets his imagination loose, but without going overboard, just like an artist suddenly struck by inspiration. Marni was also praised for its inclusiveness: models of different shapes and sizes strutted on the runway.
Prada
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Prada is deconstructing the classics and focusing on the youth during its latest run on the Milan Fashion Show, and that goes with a statement bigger than the fashion industry itself. Instead of resorting to neat and clean lines, the Italian house goes against the customs, against the conservatives in creating its shorts, skirts, bodysuits and dresses. The common theme among the pieces is freedom, which allows one to go where their fantasy leads them. The garments in neutrals like beige and brown as well as the occasional pops of color contrast conservatism and the cliched but it still has its fun, especially with the satin headbands the models wear together with them. Despite the experimental vibe on the clothes, they still remain looking dignified and wearable, especially for the younger audience that the collection targets.
Missoni
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Missoni is just one of the many shows that had a retro vibe to its presentation, but that has more significance for the house now that it celebrates its 65th anniversary. The family-owned company shows that they can still do their magic with their iconic zigzags and patchwork by giving them a modern touch on the dresses, pants and tunics, among others. The glitters and the layers, the neutrals and the pastels, all work together to bring a dreamy vibe, romantic even, although there were darker and slightly edgier pieces by the end.
Image credits: Reuters, Jason Lloyd-Evans, Getty Images, Victor Virgile, Xinhua/IANS, Creative Lab / Shutterstock.com
