PRADA
Prada showcase a Fifties collection of raw elegance for autumn/winter 2013.
The themes of the show were fading beauty and what Prada called "raw elegance". The models sported wet-look hair and seemed deliberately too young for their grown up outfits. "I wanted things to look a bit destroyed, so they don't look too expensive, added Prada". In this last, I think she probably failed. Those fit and flare tweed skirts and coats with their gauntlet sleeves, chinchilla cuffs and heavily embroidered inserts didn't look remotely cheap. Nor did the oversized alligator bowling bags, or those mink and sable jackets worn with delicate, sheer beaded skirts, giving fresh resonance to the expression 'all fur skirt and no knickers'.
JUST CAVALLI
Home-grown model Georgia May Jagger closed the Just Cavalli show in dazzling style, holding her own alongside the catwalk regulars who have half a foot on her diminutive frame. The daughter of Mick and Jerry is the face of the new Just Cavalli fragrance.
Roberto Cavalli brings us edgy elegance and yet more punk at Milan Fashion Week.
Eva Cavalli and Roberto Cavalli acknowledge the applause on the runway at the
Just Cavalli Autumn/Winter 2012/2013 fashion show as part of Milan Womenswear
Fashion Week on February 24, 2012 in Milan, Italy.
BOTTEGA VENETA
Under Tomas Maier, Bottega Veneta has blossomed into luxury fashion's most adroit generator of understated high-design desirability. This company's artisinally meshed leather goods have driven a 46 per cent jump in profit during 2012 - the first year in which it notched up US$1 billion in sales.
Working with modest materials - woollen flannels and felt - Maier managed to rustle up clothes that were far more compelling than the Swarovski scattered, fur swathed, decadently decorated Milan norm. Fold and drape, pleats and proportion, monochrome with the odd reddishsplash - all were masterfully deployed. High waisted 1950s Secretary jumpers in cashmere above pleated flannel skirts were teamed with smaller than usual bags in softened crocodile and lace- up high heeled boots. There was a lot of distressed seaming and expressively visible stitching as Maier used the imprint of construction as a form of introspective embellishment. Seriously beautiful stuff.
JIL SANDER
JIl Sander's second season back at the helm of her eponymous label brings clean lines and classic cuts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVu9LA_fQ2Y Follow link to watch runway show here.
