The ever-fabulous fall fashion season continued with Milan fashion week, and every designer impressed with gorgeous designs, wonderful colors, and beautiful embellishments. From flowing Armani to the bright patterns from Ferragamo, each show featured cutting edge designs and eye-catching colors. We’ve chosen our five favorite shows from Milan fashion week’s spring RTW collections, purely for your enjoyment!
Giorgio Armani’s Spring 2012 RTW collection consisted almost entirely of flowing silks and chiffons in light colors. It was beautifully airy, and had a very Asian feel, featuring multiple pieces that closely resembled kimonos. Each one was dyed differently, but the color choices and cuts made the collection overall pretty and feminine, while maintaining a chic that only comes with high fashion. The collection was not only cohesive, it offered attire for every day, as well as special occasions!
Roberto Cavalli’s Spring 2012 RTW collection was stunning from start to finish, with intricately designed and embroidered dresses dripping with everything metallic and sparkly. It was spectacular to look at, although much of it was impossible to wear unless you happen to be one of the lucky elite. Every single piece offered glitz and glamour that would be perfect for any night club or upscale restaurant in the world. The bold prints with black accents were striking to behold, and mixed well with his signature animal print. The best aspect of his show, however, was the metallic embellished pieces. Cavalli’s show featured so many elements, from metallic, to lace, to print, to embroidery, that it verged on overkill, but he managed to reign it in just enough to create an incredible runway extravaganza that perfectly exhibited his incredible vision and talent.
Salvatore Ferragamo’s Spring 2012 RTW collection was dazzling from the first moment, with a brightly printed jumper and a bright red blazer. From that moment on, it was impossible to look away. Every single item on the runway was brilliantly colored, possibly the best aspect of the overall show. At times, the prints were a bit much, but it was made up for by the extravagance of each individual hue, meshed together to create what can only be described as eye candy. Ferragamo’s collection could easily be seen aboard a yacht in the Mediterranean, next to something from Badgley Mischka’s Spring 2012 RTW collection. One dress stood out in particular, a chiffon magenta ankle length beauty of a gown that any woman in the world would die to wear. As the show simplified towards the end, it became clear that Ferragamo narrowly avoided creating an eyesore, and instead succeeding in creating a beautifully cohesive, stunningly vibrant collection.
Gucci’s spring 2012 RTW collection was wonderfully simplistic, unlike many of the other Italian designers’ collections. Gucci stayed with a few of Spring’s trends, including bold colors and metallic accents, but didn’t go crazy with embellishments and embroidery. The clean lines gave off a sophisticated feel, and one might think that Gucci’s collection almost gave off an air of confidence. There was no need for overdone drama because each piece’s cut, drape, and small accent spoke for itself. The perfectly injected elements of patterns, fringe, and mesh complemented the color-blocked pieces nicely, and weren’t so frequent that the viewers became tired.
Versace’s spring 2012 RTW collection, like Gucci, wasn’t overdone. Although it was far more embellished than Gucci’s at times, each studded, extravagant piece was balanced by the simple ones before and after. In beautiful white with gold and silver studs, it was eye-catching and fun. Thrown in were some pastel prints of underwater creatures like starfish and clams, which only added to the fun, flirty vibe. The show really got going when the two mixed, offering viewers an adorable printed pair of shorts with a high waist and a studded belt. From that point on, the two were perfectly balanced in different pastel colors and prints. Versace switched gears for the final 15 pieces, moving from pale to dark backgrounds, and the studs suddenly appeared edgy and glamorous, as opposed to the light feel of the first half. The final gowns of the show reverted to the lighter color palette, but maintained the glamour of the dark pieces, with jewel-encrusted starfish covering beautifully flowing gowns.
*Originally posted Tuesday, September 27, 2011