Milano

Ciao! I'm back in the UK after a two-week trip to Milan (for research purposes I'll have you know).

So what of this fashion capital?

Now, please understand I am a poor masters student and consequently, my trip did not involve ANY shopping. How boring.

 

This did not stop me however from soaking up the splendour of Gucci and Prada window displays and the super shininess of Rinascente (the city's uber fabulous department store on 8 floors). Actually, I much preferred the Gallerias for shopping spaces. It's that mix of the old and new; the drama and spectacle of the architecture against contemporary print, fabric and sparkly accessories.

Galleria Vittorio Emauelle II is worth a visit for its sheer immense size, mosaic floor and hypnotically high domed roof. And sitting proudly, as it does no doubt, in its prominent location, adjacent to the mesmerising Duomo cathedral, this is the place to be.

The problem with the Duomo area? Tourists. I had to literally hunt around the camera wielding bunch (of which I was one of course) for the super stylish, glamourous types I inadvertently associated with Milan. As such, I left the city quite underwhelmed. Don't get me wrong, glamour, shininess and fashion certainly exist in the city's numerous gallerias. But no one place which wowed me with representations of my preconceived notions of Italian grace and beauty.

Which makes me think... is fashion a myth? Or at least, are the fashion capitals: Milan, Paris, London and New York, mythological in their fashion status? Or am I being too quick to judge?

Think another trip to the Italian 'fashion haven' is needed. Luckily, that can be arranged. I'm heading back in June for some fashion conferences as part of my journey into Italian fashion. I'll let you know what I find.

V

Milan Fashion Week - day 3

I'm off to Milan in two months time for 3-months of maxed-up stress for my MA final project. Two months late for Milan fashion week. 

Bummer.

However, I am enjoying perusing from afar this week's offerings. 

Blumarine. Thank you. Autumn/winter 2012/13 and there shall be colour. The Italian label's collection for the solemn winter months began with a cascade of bright fluffy coats over virginal white trousers and stark polo necks.

We as a nation, nay, as lovers of fashion, seem only too keen to shun colour as soon as the first leaves begin to fall. This is silly. 

Now who knows how I'm to feel when summer has ended and the winter months start to draw in. But I can bet I shall be thankful for the small glimmer of sugar-coated, e-number filled colours Bluemarine have just shown as part of their autumn/winter collection 2012/13.

Screw black. Forget khaki, grey and brown. If it would be hideous as an interior paint choice, I'm wearing it.

Oh and don't forget about trusty old metallics. They're still around in a big way it seems for next autumn/winter. Blumarine, Anya Hindmarch, Maria Grachvogel, Matthew Williamson have all shown metallics during the recent big four fws.

So, zesty colour for unzesty autumn and winter... yep, I'm with the Italians on this one.