Marni Flower Market

Over in Italy, the idea of fun fashion took over Milan with Moschino's Barbie-inspired show, Gemma Ward on Prada's purple sand dune runway and Marni's flower market.

Following the eccentric fashion week in London, we move on to Milan Fashion Week, one of the four main fashion capitals of the world.

In comparison to London, hailed for its unconventional takes on fashion, Milan has always been a place where you can find Baroque inspiration and Italian made fine leather in abundance, but for spring 2015, things were far from what we had expected from the shows.

This season saw some of the biggest runway shows to date for spring 2015 including the Barbie-clad show by Moshino, Marni’s flower market and Gemma Ward walking on purple sand dunes in the Prada show.

Here, we hightlight some of the most memorable fashion shows of Milan Fashion Week.

 

Moschino brings Barbie to the catwalk
From its wildly successful McDonald’s-inspired runway, Jeremy Scott took it up a notch for his second season at the helm of Moschino, with yet another icon-inspired show – Barbie doll. Finding inspiration in the phenomenal plastic doll, the designer sent his Barbie style-clad models strutting down the runway to the 90s hit song ‘I’m a Barbie Girl’ by Aqua.

Named ‘Think Pink’, the collection rang many fond childhood memories with the doll and who can forget the chick-flick hit, ‘Legally Blonde’, which stroke more than a few bells with the collection – that is, if you’re one of the 90s (or earlier) babies.

Moschino has immediately made a selection from the collection available for purchase online.


Tod’s brings in leather for spring

More often than not, leather is a material most associated to winterwear but Tod’s decided to bring the leather into its Spring 2015 ready-to-wear collection. Fret not for those who are already sweating from the notion as Tod’s had proven that the material can be heat compatible, if given the right cut and silhouette.

On the runway, we saw leather turned into laser-cut mesh cocktail dresses and loose sundresses that will guarantee a breezy day in the spring seasons. However, we do not recommend them for mid-summer onwards. Sweat on leather can be a very tricky situation.


Purple sand dunes swept into Prada

Prada became one of the hottest topics in town this season for three reasons: firstly for the extravagant purple sand dunes placed smack in the middle of its spring 2015 runway; secondly, for the surprise appearance of supermodel Gemma Ward, who had been under the radar for quite a few seasons, to open the show.

Finally third was, of course, the beautifully-made collection that was rather sombre for a spring collection. Nonetheless, the inverted seams, deconstructed hems and rich brocades (commissioned from Milan texture mills) made quite the statement on the runway. After all, defying conventions and expectations has always been Mrs Prada’s way of designing.


Giambattista Valli has a little sister

Applauded for embracing the feminine spirit, its use of embellishments and overall beautiful clothes, Giambattista Valli debuted its new sister collection, Giamba. Like all other sister collections of designer houses, Giamba was created to approach the younger market.

True to the youthful ways, we saw plenty of desirable girl clothes from sheer white polka dot tights to cute baby doll dresses. That said, it was not only a collection for the cutesy lovers. There were also tailored jackets, pants and little black dresses for those who love minimal and well-tailored pieces.


Marni celebrates its 20th birthday

Flowers have always been the identifier for Marni and celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Italian label hosted a special one-day pop-up flower market on the day of its runway presentation.

While flowers were aplenty, we also found a stream of garden ornaments on sale including PVC vases, paper-box planters and animal sculptures – all handmade by Columbian artisans.

Needless to say, its 20th anniversary collection was a raving success, where designer Consuelo Castiglioni opened the show with minimal beige pieces that slowly developed into full bloom of raffia flowers on embroider on skirts, dresses and structured tops.

Roberto Cavalli on an all-time high
To summarise the Roberto Cavalli show, one can say that the show started and ended on the highest notes. Even for the most established fashion labels, to sustain an ongoing excitement for the entire presentation is never an easy feat but as seen in the Cavalli show, the fashion house made it seem so effortless.

Starting with a bloom of technicoloured maxi dresses that were cut, pleated and shredded in all the right places, Cavalli followed with a series of emdroidered and laced pieces. Then distressed denim made an appearance before ending with a wide array of evening looks of feathers, sequins and safari prints. Truly a goosebumps-worthy collection by the fashion house.

 

(Photos and videos courtesy of all respective brands)

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