Milan Fashion Week: 23rd & 24th September 08

Today is topsy-turvy day. Maybe I'm coming down with something, but the things I expected to love in Milan have bored me and labels I haven't thought about in a long while convinced me I was missing out. Here's my two cents from Spring/Summer 09 shows from the 23rd and 24th September.

23rd September

UNEXPECTEDLY LOATHED: Etro and I usually get along. If Etro was a person, we'd never be BFFs, but we'd have things in common and I'm sure we could meet up for a coffee and a chinwag every once in a while.

But you've changed, Etro. Ever since you went on that gap year to India and had a "life-changing experience!!1!" you've been a total bore. Don't get me wrong - India as a source of inspiration can be utterly divine, but you've managed to ruin all its glamour and mystery in shapeless trouser suits and disgusting prints.

Here are two I particularly hated. Bleurgh.   

 

 

UNEXPECTEDLY INDIFFERENT: Prada. Oh Miuccia, I see what you've done. It's sexy, in a rumpled slipping-off-your-shoulder kind of way. But I felt disappointed by it and not only because none of the models could walk in those ridiculous shoes. It just lacked something for me (although, sadly, it didn't lack in massive amounts of midriff and bra tops. Yuck.)

But I did get a kick out of the gold looks at the end. I'm a sucker for a bit of (OK, a lot of) gilt.

 

 

UNEXPECTEDLY LOVED: Moschino is not a brand I've been known to get massively excited about in the past, but Rosella Jardini's collection had me salivating. I'm not done with harlequins as a source of inspiration yet and apparantly, neither is she: simple over-sized bows and black & white prints started the show before switching to beautiful prints in pinks and purples and cascading layers of sheer ruffles.

Gorgeous and yes, quirky - but completely wearable. And personally, I don't think there's anything wrong with that!

 

I couldn't pick from this collections outfits but finally narrowed it down to five. Click to enlarge!

 

24th September

UNEXPECTEDLY LIKED: I have always hated Roberto Cavalli. In my humble opinion, the man designs clothes for WAGS and slags - neither of which are remotely close to how I desirere to look.

And yet! For Spring/Summer - where were the signature animal prints? Where was the glamazon woman as inspiration? Where was the, um, sluttiness? Alright, there were some far too mini minis, rather dodgy prairie dresses and some truly hideous bandanna prints, but it was sweet rather than full-on porno - and I didn't once feel like I needed to vomit.

And the two pieces below I... *whispers* loved. What's wrong with me?!

 

 

....and just when I thought I could trust no-one, Marni showed. And all was right with the world again.

I completely expected to love it and, lo and behold! I did. Consuelo Castiglioni's collection worked Marni's signature look of of beautifully confused chaos to perfection. I love the prints and big plastic necklaces for which Marni has become known and even more, I love all the ways a Marni piece could be worn to give it your own individual look. If there was ever a label that I could wear exclusively, it may well be this one.

 

All photos from Style.com. Thank you!

Comments

[Lauren]

Moschino was my fave as well, especially the harlequin stuff! Fantastic. I liked that Elene Miro opened the event as they're the only vaguely fashion forward plus designers, but the collection was really disappointing.

[Hannah]

Lovely Amy, your blog is like a shining light in the dark winter of my student poverty and essay despair. Window shopping for beautiful things I can't afford leaves me feeling hungrier than ever, but your appreciation for beautiful and quirky things fills a gap in my pretty-things-loving heart :)

[Amy May]

Lauren: You're right about Miro: I was disappointed with the collection this season too.

Hannah: You're the best :)