america hot: Milan Roundup #2

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Milan Roundup #2

Designers are losing their backing left and right (poor Gianfranco Ferre), but Milan Fashion Week is still going strong. Here's roundup numero dos:

Dolce & Gabbana, Dolce & Gabbana, Giorgio Armani. I have a confession to make. I don't really like Dolce and Gabbana. They are way too trannylicious/over the top for me, and this season was no exception. They held their show in an old opera house, and all the fabric they used looked like it had been ripped off the theater curtains, seats, even programs. Creative, but wearable? Not really. There were lots of pieces like this mini dress, which could probably work on a teensy starlet on a red carpet, but would be difficult for real life (I'm getting a definite Miu Miu vibe from the super minis with the puffed skirts). There were a few less insane pieces in white, like this screened tee and skinny pants combo, that had a cute, Audrey Hepburn vibe. Over at Giorgio Armani, the 80's were in full swing, but there were some timelessly chic frocks like this strapless number. The assymetrical biege ruching is a little kooky, but so fun.

Giorgio Armani, Alberta Ferretti, Alberta Ferretti. At Armani there was also this one-shouldered LBD (shocker, I know), but I like how it did the one-shoulder strap coming from the center of the neckline. It's a fresh take on this season's runway staple. Alberti Ferretti had some chic, wearable looks like this cardigan/skirt combo. The velvet on the skirt is a little Proenza Schouler (in a good way), but the slouchy sweater makes it day appropriate. And the silver filigree detail on that dress? It looks like a spiderweb in the best way possible, light and floaty, but drop dead glamorous.

All Burberry Prorsum. It's no secret that I love Burberry. If Christoper Bailey was straight...well...

Anyways...He did a lot of floaty, fitted to the waist with a-line skirt dresses (like the white dress on the left) topped with a heavy knit or a trench, some thick tights, and boots. Even if you can't afford Burberry, that's a great way to winterize a summer dress and look amazingly chic. And how cute is that embroidered shift? It's a little folksy, but I think the grey and black palette keeps it from being kitschy. Last but not last, there's the classic black trench. For real life, go with a little less volume or risk looking like a marshmallow, but the idea of the black trench with the big, dramatic collar is perfection.