Secret Milan

Our story has taken us from breathtaking cities to collections that awed; from New York City to London; through the most exhilarating weeks in fashion that have proved without guts, there’s no glory. Enter Spring 2011 Fashion Week in Milan: one of the four fashion capitals of the world, home to some of the biggest names in the business, a boutique-laden haven for any stylish man or woman. Tangerine-colored hues, having a continued presence at each step of this journey, popped up again in Milan on wrists, necks, toes, and earlobes. Colors as nude as once-dipped Easter eggs, bohemian garden goddesses left in sheer ecstasy, and plentiful amounts of sheer under layers, revealing just a hint of youthful lightheartedness and fully-grown sex appeal rivaled collections passed.

The undeniably feminine spring colors and graceful silhouettes of Alberta Ferretti showcased large-brimmed straw hats atop light, flowing skits that were both gentle and boisterous. The Albino collection’s models, reminiscent of our favorite 1970s screen idols, glided down the catwalk with glinting bows gracing sun hats and sandaled toes while we were hypnotized by Aquilano.Rimondi’s calculated display of tiny prints. Blumarine brought us electric blues, lipstick pinks, and rich corals intermingled with armfuls of animal patterns. D&G by Dolce and Gabbana lead us down a peony-trimmed walk in the presence of lovely silk handkerchiefs, airy linen bottoms, and ankle-strap buds perfect for any afternoon picnic. After celebrating their 25th year in fashion, Dolce and Gabbana showcased the beauty of grandmother’s ladylike lace and love for pearly whites in their signature collection. Daquared² poked us with a surprise splendor of loose-fitting suiting and crisp oxfords. At Emilio Pucci, we jetted to the Mediterranean with some of the most sultry, cool designs of the season. From the eclectic pairings of shock-worthy blue and pumpkin orange at Etro to the angel-light frocks from Karl Lagerfeld at Fendi, we braced ourselves for another steaming hot spring. The African sky was illuminated over the runway of Giorgio Armani with midnight blue and deep black accompanied by polished sequins. The romantic glamour of Yves Saint Laurent was seen behind Gucci’s designs, which brought back the beauty of structured hiplines and ankle-slimming trousers. The ultra-hip Just Cavalli collection reminded us that it’s never too late to go too far, while the tribal knits at Missoni elegantly maintained their translucency and charm atop ribbon-tied flats. Moschino Cheap & Chic called to the mischievous girl inside us with a plethora of polka dots and peachy hues as we were overcome with joy at Prada as sinfully radiant blocks of color danced before us like swingers on a trapeze.

From the contained lines at Versace to the flocks of unruly tassels at Roberto Cavalli, Milan is left whispering a secret quietly in our ear; the seeds are planted, spring wardrobes of a distinct cloth are about to bloom.

Collections of Alberta Ferretti and Missoni