Five Best Looks from Milan Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2015

Fendi Spring/Summer 2015 Collection

Rumour has it that, Fendi fashion show invitation cards gave potential show-goers a clue as to what to expect on the runway.

An orchid stamped on each card played a noteworthy role throughout the show. They appeared in the form of leather hair ties, beautified jackets, and were printed on everything from trapeze-line shifts to ankle length, knife-pleated organdy skirts. – It is safe to say that these were the flowers of the Fendi season.

The inspiration behind it all was perhaps less clear cut. ‘’Fashion and architecture were the favoured forms of expressing avant-garde culture in the early decades of the 20th Century,” said the Creative Director Karl Lagerfeld in a statement before introducing Fendi’s Spring/Summer 2015 show. Karl also cited Fendi’s grand Roman headquarters, Palazzo della Civilta Italiana as an inspiration, setting the tone for a collection to be rich in structural design.

Strong linear elements were everywhere, from architectural single-caped shoulders, loose gaucho pants, sheer vertically lines and box-pleats, to tops, sleeves, and hemlines knife-pleats, and bold, confined peek-a-boo cut-outs revealing collarbones and midriffs. Certainly there was a historic, architectural feel to the collection, but it also felt young and, at times, playful. The blend of lavishness, textural materials was everything this season, with featherweight suedes, leathers, denim to keep things flirty and current, and a finale to-die-for moment the feathered mini-dresses made of hand-frayed organdie.

This is fashion-forward and I love it.

Alberta Ferretti Spring/Summer 2015 Collection

Unlike Fendi SS 15 collection, Alberta Ferretti captured elements of romance and nature. It was almost like opening the gates to the Garden of Eden and seeing what lies behind. Well, a collection of ethereal nude and blush chiffon pieces with floor sweeping hemlines for the free-spirited bohemian in all of us. Model after model dressed in empire-waisted blouses and dresses floated down the runway so effortlessly – with floral petal appliqué – that made many reminisce about the haight-ashbury times.

There were also a hint of a Native American vibe thanks to fringe detailing and garments made from soft tan leather, accompanied by hippie type sandals, crocheted moccasins, or the Diana the Huntress gladiators that are everyone’s favourite this season.

What I love about this collection is that each romantic piece is wearable for any summer function, day or night.

Etro Spring/Summer 2015 Collection

In keeping with the free-spirited bohemian vibe, Veronica Etro was all about making things by hand – customizing, dyeing, cutting, braiding, embellishing. “I figured out this woman, an artist, living on her own in the desert,” said Etro. A collection inspired by independence, craftsmanship and Native American influences – with tufts and tepees, colours and shapes of the desert which additionally supports Etro show notes that stated “risen from the sand and the heat of the desert like an opulent mirage.”

There was a sense of ease and gracefulness about mixing Native American silhouettes, with flowing handkerchief-hemmed dresses accessorised with feather necklaces, beads, and textural ponchos, vests, all dipped in a colour palette of dusky blues, greys and red accents.

Giorgio Armani Spring/Summer 2015 Collection

Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani presented his SS 15 collection at Milan Fashion Week. He started proceedings with a short film “Sabbia”, shot by Oscar-winning director Paolo Sorrentino to describe the theme of his collection. In it we saw a mystery couple lying on the beach, hand in hand, with only a rope covering their bodies. The film shot in Stromboli and Lipari focuses on the indecipherable mystery of nature. It is evident that inspiration came from the sea, the sand and landscapes in order to capture a natural feel to his collection, with muted colours, trailing shapes and textured rippling materials.

The entire collection had a Mediterranean culture vibe, from rosy, powdery gray, pearly beige, black and brown shades to the lightweight vibe, transparent and translucent details. The focus was on lavish evening gowns made of rich fabrics and with fluid silhouettes.

Versace Spring/Summer 2015 collection

Donatella never disappoints in delivering a collection that oozes high fashion with a sultry sophistication feel – and SS15 was no different.

The show started off fierce with black and white monochrome, accompanied by a touch of the brand’s signature Medusa and gold accents of course. Certainly there was a sensual, sultry sophistication feel to the collection but it also felt young and, at times, playful with pastel blues and pinks in the form of caged dresses, peek-a-boo polka dots, and a few stand-out laser-cut leather. The palette becomes increasingly brighter and more vibrant, from colour blocks and shimmering crystals on the cocktail dresses to asymmetric hemlines on mini-skirts, jagged high-low hems on maxi skirts, and cross-over, cutaway necklines kept things fearless and fresh.