Milan Fashion Week 2016: Haute Off The Ramp

Top 5 Trends at MFW

1. Bold stripes

The predominant pattern this season at Milan was the ubiquitous stripes – big, bold and in all shapes and sizes. Missoni dedicated an entire collection to exploring stripes in all its avatars, from zig-zags to colour-blocked.

2. Colour loving

Embrace bold colours in all their standout eye-catching glory. Everyone from Marni and Dsquared2 to Marco de Vincenzo and Stella Jean showcased audacious new ways of clashing and blocking colours, especially solid primary colours.

3. Light as a breeze

Light, feathery and sheer fabrics in ultra-feminine flowy dresses ruled the runways. Counter the femininity by wearing it over a white vest like at No.21 or give it some edge by wearing it with dark ankle boots à la Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini.

4. More is not enough

From Emilio Pucci and Fausto Puglisi to Gucci and Prada, maximalism was the mantra at Milan. Loud embellishments, bright colours, multiple layers, shiny sequins, bold make-up and quirky accessories – all in one look, all over-the-top, all over the runways.

5. The new bomber

Designers at Milan embraced a kind of sports luxe mixed in with the rest of their collections. The new, sometimes fitted, sometimes printed, other times voluminous but always luxurious bomber jacket was casually thrown over everything from shorts and skirts to gowns and swimsuits. Two of our favourites are the big sleeved version seen at Fendi and feathered version seen at Bottega Veneta.

Top 5 Shows at MFW

 1. Gucci

Alessandro Michele reinforced the geek-chic aesthetic that he established with his first collection for Gucci. These clothes are not for the faint-hearted but rather for the feisty, quirky, fiercely independent woman.

2. Versace

One of Donatella Versace’s best collections to date, it had a new take on animal prints mixed in with military cool. Versace’s signature glamour was on display but toned down for a more relaxed sex appeal.

3. Prada

Miuccia Prada’s typically eclectic collection was perfect fodder for the intellectual fashionista. This collection subverted the traditional tailored suit – by using sheer fabrics and solid ones, by mixing stripes and plaids, and by pairing them with bold gold lips, dangly shoulder-grazing balls worn as earrings and flat pointy-toes sandals.

4. Fendi

Karl Lagerfeld and Silvia Venturini Fendi’s collection for Fendi was completely in sync with the vibe of this Spring season without intending to be. The voluminous sleeves, high necks, visibly big cross-stitching, midi lengths and bomber jackets were used as a backdrop for displaying the luxurious materials and craft of this Roman house of fur and leather.

5. Dolce and Gabbana

Domenico Dolce and Stephano Gabbana wrote yet another love letter – this time to their country. This ode to Italia including humorous postcard prints depicting Italian life, metallic embroidered fruits and famous landmarks on Dolce and Gabbana’s signature silhouettes, was through the eyes of post world-war tourists.

Top 5 Looks at MFW