Dream in Lace

Versace took the spotlight at Milan Fashion Week Friday to present a collection full of spectacular pieces…with wide variety! Lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my! Or zippers, pastels, flowers, and biker-tees…oh…my! It wasn’t a perfect collection, but was full of looks that proved the Versace spirit is still very much alive and well.

So let’s start with my absolutely favorite pieces of the collection, these beautiful bouquets of flowers!

It’s like Donatella crawled around picking up a floral print off the cutting room floor of an Erdem showroom (in a good way). It’s not something I would’ve expected out of Versace this season, but these (to me) are definitely the strongest looks of the collection. They do what Versace does best, and take a romantic look and flip it upside down to have a whole lot of attitude. Bravo! And I love those shoes!

Another look that is very classic Versace are the exposed zippers in these black numbers:

We’ve seen Versace do this before. It worked then and it works now. I really love when Versace goes all rock-girl on us!

I don’t love when they go all rock girl in pastels however…

These are strange. The belly chain works for me in the black exposed zipper looks but is a major flop for me here. In theory I like the idea of pastels with a dark twist but I just don’t think this is the most effective way to do it. And I think they definitely should have paired these dresses with the black platforms you see with the above looks. The shoes and the dresses are way too matchy matchy for my taste.

Versace did get pastels right though in these looks that darken them up without the excess chain-baggage.

These are styled to perfection with the chunky black heals and large buckled, black belts. Where they aimed (and missed) in the pastels with chains, they hit right on the head with these. But, hey it’s a trial and error process sometimes and better to try, fail, try again, and get it right…than to never try at all. (As cheesy as that sounds it is really true!)

Denim also played a large role in this collection in a range of looks that I really did like a lot. I even like the controversial chain in the center look. It works really well in this case.

And last but not least, let’s just gander at these really amazing t-shirts. These gals are ready to jump on the back of a Harley motorcycle and ride into the sunset. The lace detailing on the pants is one of my favorite looks of the whole collection. I wish we saw that done more because it has a really cool effect, like high fashion faux tattoos.

Overall, while the collection did hit a few speed bumps, it was classic good Versace fun. And who doesn’t love that?

Let me know where you weigh in on the great belly-chain debate (I don’t know why I keep calling them belly chains as they adorn many other body parts than the belly). I’m curious to know if you think pastels and chains are a good mix.

All photos credited to Vogue.

In a grand gesture of spring cleaning, Milan Fashion Week has kicked aside the black-and-white that was so prominent in London and New York in favor of spring collections bursting with color. But no collection celebrates color as well as Fendi. Day 2 had some mighty colorful competition in Just Cavalli and Prada, but the relaxed feel of this collection is soothing to the eyes and definitely to the body. So sit back, relax, and take in the spectacular collection that honors the spirit of the warmest seasons in the coolest way. Fendi.

 

 

Take something simple and turn it into something magical fierce. That’s the motto of Gucci, and possibly an amazing bumper sticker and/or t-shirt slogan. Simple item in question: the pant.

Spring/Summer 2014 collections have been full of short skirts and dresses, but not too heavily focused on the pant. And really, who can argue. It’s spring and summer…the time of year when you kick off your pants, shave your legs, and strut your gams down the street. It’s the time of the leg, rightfully so. Who wants to wear heavy pants when it’s 100 degrees outside?

Well, perhaps Gucci. And perhaps you too when you see the inventive and flowing pants that walked the runway of Milan Fashion Week, kicking off the week with a bang! A pant-legged bang!

Pleated chiffon took its place in several of the SS collections, but not yet in a pant. See here Gucci’s pick up of a trend and twisting it to a new dimension: the pleated chiffon harem pant suit. Inventive yes. Breezy and gorgeous? Double yes.

I think the reason Gucci is so fun is because they are never boring. Even something as basic as a pair of black pants is spun to a new look that’s edgy, a little strange, and a whole lot of exciting.

For the modern athlete, and perhaps your average disco fan, feast your eyes on these variations of a pant suit that closely resembles a track suit. Bold, even in black, these very urban looks would work for a day of fabulous shopping, but seem made for a night out on the town.

Shimmery metallics also found a home at Gucci. I really love the bronze tones of the left and center. I also am super excited to see fringe focused at this show (also seen at NYFW by Rodarte and Altuzarra) in the form of fringed leather bags. This is a classic interpretation of fringe but when worn with a flashy metallic green track suit, who would dare to call you predictable?

Perhaps my favorite though are these wide-leg looks. I love the purple beading. To me, these chiffon jumpsuits have a perfect Purple Rain motif that would very aptly find their place in a nightclub. Honestly, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen chiffon appear so masculine as in these jumpsuits. Prince would be very proud of you Gucci!

In every imaginable variation, Gucci darkly plays with the disco in a spring collection that’s daring to even the boldest women.

So, what do you say? Are you strong enough to wear the pants in this relationship? Gucci sure hopes you are!

xoxo
Kelly

All photos credited to Vogue.