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.

TREND UPDATE: Dreamy pastels...

Oh I'm so pleased about the pastel trend and no more so because at the time of writing this I'm standing, peering through the window at a snow-covered garden. 

Pastels - ok, so its definitely a spring trend and obviously winter still has its icy white hold on us, yet pastels would look so divine in the snow:

Pale orchid purples, the creamiest of milky whites, mellow hibiscus yellows and blush pinks - the pastel trend is so dreamy.

Remember the Louis Vuitton spring/summer show? Heavens, it made me melt.

Pastels at Louis Vuitton Paris Fashion Week 2011

Philip Lim - pastels done simply

LV showed the uptmost ladylike of shapes in boxy jackets and full midi-skirts with delicate cut-out collars and princess up-dos. For an extra flounce, the French fashion house also showed full-fifties skirts made of dandelion-light marabou feathers. 

If, like me, you prefer wearing trends a little understated, take some inspiration from Philip Lim. In his spring/summer 2012 collection, pastels were boxed into soft shapes; a no-nonsense, divine in its simplicity, alternative to Louis Vuitton's fairytale yet everybit as dreamy. 

My tip - let the pastels do the talking. Mix them up but keep it simple. Like pearls, pastels are so feminine that adornment and embellishment just aren't necessary.

Lovely.

TREND UPDATE: shimmer+shine+sparkle... Christmas 2011

If Christmas is anything, it is sparkly. That is why I am so pleased the fashion gods have created a plethora of glittery, gleaming and glamorous outfits for this most shimmery of seasons.

If you dare to wear all out metallic in curious, Christmas card cut-out shapes a la Stella McCartney, I applaud you. Here, coats and jumpers are objects placed onto to models, not haphazedly draped or wrapped. These items of beauty are art, the wearer, the canvas.

Gareth Pugh

Stella McCartney

I cannot encourage this look enough. It is otherworldly, stunning in the most organic sense. Gareth Pugh's morphed robotic metallics are for the more adventurous but are equally divine.

Balmain

And it doesn't have to be gold. Balmain, one of my favourite favourites also worked the metallic, shiny trend in tones of pewter and icy cold ocean blue.
There is no time better than Christmas to try out this trend.

You have permission to sparkle unashamedly.

v

A quick little survey...

If any of you lovely people have a spare 5 minutes and would like to do a good deed, would you please fill out my quick survey:

http://kwiksurveys.com?u=fashionblog

It really won't take more than 5 minutes and will help me out a lot!

Thank you 

v

Happy Halloween!

It seems a funny thing to say, Happy Halloween, but I'm jumping on the bandwagon and embracing all things dark and spooky today.

I'm thinking of wearing black lipstick today, all day - you know, to pop to the shops, whilst studying, walking the dog etc. I wonder what the response will be in my quaint English village when a figure resembling a half-hearted Lady Gaga pops down to the shop for a morning paper and pint of milk?

I'll let you know.


v

ACCESSORIES UPDATE: Chokers

If like me, chokers throw up images of the gothic side of the populous, it's time to think again.

Not that I have anything against gothic dressers might I say. There is certainly something very bracing and courageous about wearing whatever the heck one darn well likes and being proud of it.

Anyhow, I digress. Chokers.

Bottega Veneta

Valentino

Valentino

Undercover at FarFetch.com

The chokers that have been gracing the slender necks of Valentino and Bottega Veneta models are softer and more ethereal than the slick tight black velvet versions we may associate with the accessory of the early nineties.

Beading, delicate, feather-light fabrics and muted tones make chokers a very modern and ultra feminine alternative to necklaces, and the accessory of this Autumn/Winter.

v