In Milan, florals appeared in a marvelous explosion of styles not previously seen since the seventies, with giant blossoms, abstract vintage or Hawaiian flowers and extravagant floral appliques.
Some designers went for creative illusion through the clever use of playful 3D elements, while others embellished to the hilt using flower petal appliques on crop tops, bustiers, and dresses. Graphic mismatched patterns flourished on sleek architectural silhouettes that accentuate the body.
Marras played with retro florals using sheer materials to create a graphic black and white effect. His hand painted black appliqued flowers on a tulle background follow the line of a slim pencil skirt worn with a cropped top trimmed in lace. The perfect look for a chic cocktail party in the city.
For spring, Alberta Ferretti had the vibrant culture of Peru in mind. Here a delicate cropped ivory top with small clusters of embroidered blue, pink, and orange flowers at the shoulder is paired with an intensely vibrant striped blue and orange skirt “My collection was influenced by the vision of countries where the culture of sunshine shapes the culture of life,” she said. Ferretti interpreted the rich history and custom of weaving embroideries to great affect by threading bands of rainbow-hued ribbons through out her collection.
Dolce & Gabbana tempts you explore the beauty of Sicily with florals influenced by the historical treasures of Sicilian culture. A dress adorned with three dimensional almond blossoms is cinched at the waist with a belt with ancient gold coins. Stefano Gabbana described the collection as “an unconscious dream,” meaning the clothes had a fairytale blend of real and irrational that can only be found in dreams.
Aquilano Rimondi’s bejeweled black satin bra is embellished with light beading and black petals and is worn over a paper-bag waisted skirt in blue satin with blooming hibiscus flowers.
Blumarine’s execution of 3-D flowers was perfection in a sheer blouse embroidered with large white roses, and tucked into a matching skirt, subtly highlighted with tiny white feathers.
Veronica Etro has a talent for creating pieces with a bohemian sense of freedom. For spring her inspiration came from the many covered books her grandfather bound in printed fabrics for her grandmother in the forties. Veronica Etro enlarged the florals and blended them with the houses’ signature paisley. A Hawaiian style flower pops on a blouse with black cap sleeves over a blue, sarong skirt printed with butterflies trimmed in fringe.
Marni’s brilliance makes the new athletic inspired sportswear trend look oh so glam. The designer encrusted jeweled green flowers with black beading on everything from a slouchy bomber jackets to long pencil skirts with matching visors. She continued with the athletic inspired theme down to the shoes, adding spa platform sandals and a small elegant clutch. And voila, the Marni woman is ready for a super luxe workout.
Donatella Versace transformed casual streetwear into the luxe kind of streetwear favored by the rock n roll cognoscenti. Her savvy street collection of flame thrower T-shirts, jackets and leather pieces is all about casual, easy to wear pieces infused with a flash of Versace glamour. A vibrant floral T-shirt printed is layered with netting over the same coloured print and tucked into chiffon shorts in a faded Monet floral. “I’m liberating the Versace woman,” exclaimed Donatella Versace “Usually we give them clothes that are very tight to the body but this time they are much more languid – they caress the body.” This spring, the Versace girl continues her reign as a glamorous rock star.
