Following the New York and London fashion weeks, some of fashions biggest names take their collections to the runway of Milan. Occurring twice a year for the autumn (fall) / winter and spring / summer seasons, Milan fashion week brings the Italian city to life with swarms of celebrities, media and fashion industry icons alike.
Here you'll find coverage of Milan fashion week for 2011 and past years including 2010.
Milan fashion week A/W 2011 coverage
Albino's colourful closingWritten by Tania Braukamper on 08.03.2011
The technicolor-dreamcoat colours in stripes and confetti-like petals that stole the spotlight at Albino's Milan fashion week show were even more striking when clustered together in the final walk. Our video of those closing moments doesn't quite do the colours justice; but it does offer some insight into the overall effect and the detail we remarked upon in our review
MFW
Milan fashion weekFollowing the New York and London fashion weeks, some of fashions biggest names take their collections to the runway of Milan. Occurring twice a year for the autumn (fall) / winter and spring / summer seasons, Milan fashion week brings the Italian city to life with swarms of celebrities, media and fashion industry icons alike.
Here you'll find coverage of Milan fashion week for 2011 and past years including 2010.
Milan fashion week A/W 2011 coverage
Albino's colourful closingWritten by Tania Braukamper on 08.03.2011
The technicolor-dreamcoat colours in stripes and confetti-like petals that stole the spotlight at Albino's Milan fashion week show were even more striking when clustered together in the final walk. Our video of those closing moments doesn't quite do the colours justice; but it does offer some insight into the overall effect and the detail we remarked upon in our review.
Picture Gallery Preview
Click To View Full Gallery
[ Read the rest of 'Albino's colourful closing' ]
Closing walk at Massimo RebecchiWritten by Tania Braukamper on 05.03.2011
While you can't see the opulence of the venue as described by Daniel in his review of Massimo Rebecchi's show at Milan fashion week, you can certainly get a glimpse into the collection via this video of the closing walk.
MFW
Milan fashion weekFollowing the New York and London fashion weeks, some of fashions biggest names take their collections to the runway of Milan. Occurring twice a year for the autumn (fall) / winter and spring / summer seasons, Milan fashion week brings the Italian city to life with swarms of celebrities, media and fashion industry icons alike.
Here you'll find coverage of Milan fashion week for 2011 and past years including 2010.
Milan fashion week A/W 2011 coverage
Albino's colourful closingWritten by Tania Braukamper on 08.03.2011
The technicolor-dreamcoat colours in stripes and confetti-like petals that stole the spotlight at Albino's Milan fashion week show were even more striking when clustered together in the final walk. Our video of those closing moments doesn't quite do the colours justice; but it does offer some insight into the overall effect and the detail we remarked upon in our review.
Picture Gallery Preview
Click To View Full Gallery
[ Read the rest of 'Albino's colourful closing' ]
Closing walk at Massimo RebecchiWritten by Tania Braukamper on 05.03.2011
While you can't see the opulence of the venue as described by Daniel in his review of Massimo Rebecchi's show at Milan fashion week, you can certainly get a glimpse into the collection via this video of the closing walk.
Picture Gallery Preview
Click To View Full Gallery
[ Read the rest of 'Closing walk at Massimo Rebecchi' ]
Charge of the model brigadeWritten by Tania Braukamper on 04.03.2011
When Antonio Marras' Milan fashion week show closed, the models didn't so much walk as they did storm forth en masse, washed over with dramatic music and waves of applause. In our video of those closing moments you can also get a sense of Marras' masculine-meets-feminine undergarments, used throughout the collection: cutaway collared shirts and black slips with sheer panels.
MFW
Milan fashion weekFollowing the New York and London fashion weeks, some of fashions biggest names take their collections to the runway of Milan. Occurring twice a year for the autumn (fall) / winter and spring / summer seasons, Milan fashion week brings the Italian city to life with swarms of celebrities, media and fashion industry icons alike.
Here you'll find coverage of Milan fashion week for 2011 and past years including 2010.
Milan fashion week A/W 2011 coverage
Albino's colourful closingWritten by Tania Braukamper on 08.03.2011
The technicolor-dreamcoat colours in stripes and confetti-like petals that stole the spotlight at Albino's Milan fashion week show were even more striking when clustered together in the final walk. Our video of those closing moments doesn't quite do the colours justice; but it does offer some insight into the overall effect and the detail we remarked upon in our review.
Picture Gallery Preview
Click To View Full Gallery
[ Read the rest of 'Albino's colourful closing' ]
Closing walk at Massimo RebecchiWritten by Tania Braukamper on 05.03.2011
While you can't see the opulence of the venue as described by Daniel in his review of Massimo Rebecchi's show at Milan fashion week, you can certainly get a glimpse into the collection via this video of the closing walk.
Picture Gallery Preview
Click To View Full Gallery
[ Read the rest of 'Closing walk at Massimo Rebecchi' ]
Charge of the model brigadeWritten by Tania Braukamper on 04.03.2011
When Antonio Marras' Milan fashion week show closed, the models didn't so much walk as they did storm forth en masse, washed over with dramatic music and waves of applause. In our video of those closing moments you can also get a sense of Marras' masculine-meets-feminine undergarments, used throughout the collection: cutaway collared shirts and black slips with sheer panels.
Picture Gallery Preview
Click To View Full Gallery
[ Read the rest of 'Charge of the model brigade' ]
No. 21: texture and shineWritten by Tania Braukamper on 03.03.2011
Texture. That were the key element at the No. 21 Milan fashion week show, which brought breezy pastels and heavy blacks side by side on the runway. Lace had a starring role: at times making up full dresses, at others taking shape on the blink-and-you'll-miss-it detailing (like a surprise lace panel at the back of a heavy knit). Elsewhere in Alessandro Dell'Acqua's fall / winter 2011 offering, sequins and feathers were richly embellished onto tunics for a more ostentatious turn. But where the collection was strongest was in the high-shine take on masculine dressing, with boxy trousers and collared shirts under knits all assembled with a modern update.
MFW
Milan fashion weekFollowing the New York and London fashion weeks, some of fashions biggest names take their collections to the runway of Milan. Occurring twice a year for the autumn (fall) / winter and spring / summer seasons, Milan fashion week brings the Italian city to life with swarms of celebrities, media and fashion industry icons alike.
Here you'll find coverage of Milan fashion week for 2011 and past years including 2010.
Milan fashion week A/W 2011 coverage
Albino's colourful closingWritten by Tania Braukamper on 08.03.2011
The technicolor-dreamcoat colours in stripes and confetti-like petals that stole the spotlight at Albino's Milan fashion week show were even more striking when clustered together in the final walk. Our video of those closing moments doesn't quite do the colours justice; but it does offer some insight into the overall effect and the detail we remarked upon in our review.
Picture Gallery Preview
Click To View Full Gallery
[ Read the rest of 'Albino's colourful closing' ]
Closing walk at Massimo RebecchiWritten by Tania Braukamper on 05.03.2011
While you can't see the opulence of the venue as described by Daniel in his review of Massimo Rebecchi's show at Milan fashion week, you can certainly get a glimpse into the collection via this video of the closing walk.
Picture Gallery Preview
Click To View Full Gallery
[ Read the rest of 'Closing walk at Massimo Rebecchi' ]
Charge of the model brigadeWritten by Tania Braukamper on 04.03.2011
When Antonio Marras' Milan fashion week show closed, the models didn't so much walk as they did storm forth en masse, washed over with dramatic music and waves of applause. In our video of those closing moments you can also get a sense of Marras' masculine-meets-feminine undergarments, used throughout the collection: cutaway collared shirts and black slips with sheer panels.
Picture Gallery Preview
Click To View Full Gallery
[ Read the rest of 'Charge of the model brigade' ]
No. 21: texture and shineWritten by Tania Braukamper on 03.03.2011
Texture. That were the key element at the No. 21 Milan fashion week show, which brought breezy pastels and heavy blacks side by side on the runway. Lace had a starring role: at times making up full dresses, at others taking shape on the blink-and-you'll-miss-it detailing (like a surprise lace panel at the back of a heavy knit). Elsewhere in Alessandro Dell'Acqua's fall / winter 2011 offering, sequins and feathers were richly embellished onto tunics for a more ostentatious turn. But where the collection was strongest was in the high-shine take on masculine dressing, with boxy trousers and collared shirts under knits all assembled with a modern update.
Picture Gallery Preview
Click To View Full Gallery
[ Read the rest of 'No. 21: texture and shine' ]
Closing Lorella SignorinoWritten by Tania Braukamper on 01.03.2011
With a collection described by Daniel as 'sexualised and youthful', Lorella Signorino's Milan fashion week show was suitably energetic. Captured on video, the closing moments were a fast-paced romp through the 70s tones and boho embellishments that
MFW
Milan fashion weekFollowing the New York and London fashion weeks, some of fashions biggest names take their collections to the runway of Milan. Occurring twice a year for the autumn (fall) / winter and spring / summer seasons, Milan fashion week brings the Italian city to life with swarms of celebrities, media and fashion industry icons alike.
Here you'll find coverage of Milan fashion week for 2011 and past years including 2010.
Milan fashion week A/W 2011 coverage
Albino's colourful closingWritten by Tania Braukamper on 08.03.2011
The technicolor-dreamcoat colours in stripes and confetti-like petals that stole the spotlight at Albino's Milan fashion week show were even more striking when clustered together in the final walk. Our video of those closing moments doesn't quite do the colours justice; but it does offer some insight into the overall effect and the detail we remarked upon in our review.
Picture Gallery Preview
Click To View Full Gallery
[ Read the rest of 'Albino's colourful closing' ]
Closing walk at Massimo RebecchiWritten by Tania Braukamper on 05.03.2011
While you can't see the opulence of the venue as described by Daniel in his review of Massimo Rebecchi's show at Milan fashion week, you can certainly get a glimpse into the collection via this video of the closing walk.
Picture Gallery Preview
Click To View Full Gallery
[ Read the rest of 'Closing walk at Massimo Rebecchi' ]
Charge of the model brigadeWritten by Tania Braukamper on 04.03.2011
When Antonio Marras' Milan fashion week show closed, the models didn't so much walk as they did storm forth en masse, washed over with dramatic music and waves of applause. In our video of those closing moments you can also get a sense of Marras' masculine-meets-feminine undergarments, used throughout the collection: cutaway collared shirts and black slips with sheer panels.
Picture Gallery Preview
Click To View Full Gallery
[ Read the rest of 'Charge of the model brigade' ]
No. 21: texture and shineWritten by Tania Braukamper on 03.03.2011
Texture. That were the key element at the No. 21 Milan fashion week show, which brought breezy pastels and heavy blacks side by side on the runway. Lace had a starring role: at times making up full dresses, at others taking shape on the blink-and-you'll-miss-it detailing (like a surprise lace panel at the back of a heavy knit). Elsewhere in Alessandro Dell'Acqua's fall / winter 2011 offering, sequins and feathers were richly embellished onto tunics for a more ostentatious turn. But where the collection was strongest was in the high-shine take on masculine dressing, with boxy trousers and collared shirts under knits all assembled with a modern update.
Picture Gallery Preview
Click To View Full Gallery
[ Read the rest of 'No. 21: texture and shine' ]
Closing Lorella SignorinoWritten by Tania Braukamper on 01.03.2011
With a collection described by Daniel as 'sexualised and youthful', Lorella Signorino's Milan fashion week show was suitably energetic. Captured on video, the closing moments were a fast-paced romp through the 70s tones and boho embellishments that took to the runway during the parade.
Picture Gallery Preview
Click To View Full Gallery
[ Read the rest of 'Closing Lorella Signorino' ]
Alessandra Ambrosio: right and wrongWritten by Daniel P Dykes on 28.02.2011
With 70s fashion back in full force, Alessandra Ambrosio gives her own off duty model take on the flared trousers revival. While still making a statement this cut, flared from below the knee, is the sort that you should be avoiding if you're looking at flares and bell bottoms as a statement for the season. Follow the link to the flared trousers article to find out more.
MFW
Milan fashion weekFollowing the New York and London fashion weeks, some of fashions biggest names take their collections to the runway of Milan. Occurring twice a year for the autumn (fall) / winter and spring / summer seasons, Milan fashion week brings the Italian city to life with swarms of celebrities, media and fashion industry icons alike.
Here you'll find coverage of Milan fashion week for 2011 and past years including 2010.
Milan fashion week A/W 2011 coverage
Albino's colourful closingWritten by Tania Braukamper on 08.03.2011
The technicolor-dreamcoat colours in stripes and confetti-like petals that stole the spotlight at Albino's Milan fashion week show were even more striking when clustered together in the final walk. Our video of those closing moments doesn't quite do the colours justice; but it does offer some insight into the overall effect and the detail we remarked upon in our review.
Picture Gallery Preview
Click To View Full Gallery
[ Read the rest of 'Albino's colourful closing' ]
Closing walk at Massimo RebecchiWritten by Tania Braukamper on 05.03.2011
While you can't see the opulence of the venue as described by Daniel in his review of Massimo Rebecchi's show at Milan fashion week, you can certainly get a glimpse into the collection via this video of the closing walk.
Picture Gallery Preview
Click To View Full Gallery
[ Read the rest of 'Closing walk at Massimo Rebecchi' ]
Charge of the model brigadeWritten by Tania Braukamper on 04.03.2011
When Antonio Marras' Milan fashion week show closed, the models didn't so much walk as they did storm forth en masse, washed over with dramatic music and waves of applause. In our video of those closing moments you can also get a sense of Marras' masculine-meets-feminine undergarments, used throughout the collection: cutaway collared shirts and black slips with sheer panels.
Picture Gallery Preview
Click To View Full Gallery
[ Read the rest of 'Charge of the model brigade' ]
No. 21: texture and shineWritten by Tania Braukamper on 03.03.2011
Texture. That were the key element at the No. 21 Milan fashion week show, which brought breezy pastels and heavy blacks side by side on the runway. Lace had a starring role: at times making up full dresses, at others taking shape on the blink-and-you'll-miss-it detailing (like a surprise lace panel at the back of a heavy knit). Elsewhere in Alessandro Dell'Acqua's fall / winter 2011 offering, sequins and feathers were richly embellished onto tunics for a more ostentatious turn. But where the collection was strongest was in the high-shine take on masculine dressing, with boxy trousers and collared shirts under knits all assembled with a modern update.
Picture Gallery Preview
Click To View Full Gallery
[ Read the rest of 'No. 21: texture and shine' ]
Closing Lorella SignorinoWritten by Tania Braukamper on 01.03.2011
With a collection described by Daniel as 'sexualised and youthful', Lorella Signorino's Milan fashion week show was suitably energetic. Captured on video, the closing moments were a fast-paced romp through the 70s tones and boho embellishments that took to the runway during the parade.
Picture Gallery Preview
Click To View Full Gallery
[ Read the rest of 'Closing Lorella Signorino' ]
Alessandra Ambrosio: right and wrongWritten by Daniel P Dykes on 28.02.2011
With 70s fashion back in full force, Alessandra Ambrosio gives her own off duty model take on the flared trousers revival. While still making a statement this cut, flared from below the knee, is the sort that you should be avoiding if you're looking at flares and bell bottoms as a statement for the season. Follow the link to the flared trousers article to find out more.
[ Read the rest of 'Alessandra Ambrosio: right and wrong' ]
Lorella Signorino's Atelier stays youngWritten by Daniel P Dykes on 28.02.2011
Lorella Signorino marked the positioninsg of her new 'Atelier' label from the get go: in mere moments the atmosphere of her Milan fashion week showing turned from light piano, to a hard beat, to a somewhat exposed Ruby Aldridge pounding down the catwalk. Sexualised and youthful? Certainly. This is, after all, the catwalk debut of a new label from a designer who had previously brought us the label 'Love Sex Money'. Lorella Signorino Atelier was never going to open demurely.
MFW
Milan fashion weekFollowing the New York and London fashion weeks, some of fashions biggest names take their collections to the runway of Milan. Occurring twice a year for the autumn (fall) / winter and spring / summer seasons, Milan fashion week brings the Italian city to life with swarms of celebrities, media and fashion industry icons alike.
Here you'll find coverage of Milan fashion week for 2011 and past years including 2010.
Milan fashion week A/W 2011 coverage
Albino's colourful closingWritten by Tania Braukamper on 08.03.2011
The technicolor-dreamcoat colours in stripes and confetti-like petals that stole the spotlight at Albino's Milan fashion week show were even more striking when clustered together in the final walk. Our video of those closing moments doesn't quite do the colours justice; but it does offer some insight into the overall effect and the detail we remarked upon in our review.
Picture Gallery Preview
Click To View Full Gallery
[ Read the rest of 'Albino's colourful closing' ]
Closing walk at Massimo RebecchiWritten by Tania Braukamper on 05.03.2011
While you can't see the opulence of fsgthe venue as described by Daniel in his review of Massimo Rebecchi's show at Milan fashion week, you can certainly get a glimpse into the collection via this video of the closing walk.
Picture Gallery Preview
Click To View Full Gallery
[ Read the rest of 'Closing walk at Massimo Rebecchi' ]
Charge of the model brigadeWritten by Tania Braukamper on 04.03.2011
When Antonio Marras' Milan fashion week show closed, the models didn't so much walk as they did storm forth en masse, washed over with dramatic music and waves of applause. In our video of those closing moments you can also get a sense of Marras' masculine-meets-feminine undergarments, used throughout the collection: cutaway collared shirts and black slips with sheer panels.
Picture Gallery Preview
Click To View Full Gallery
[ Read the rest of 'Charge of the model brigade' ]
No. 21: texture and shineWritten by Tsfania Braukamper on 03.03.2011
Texture. That were the key element at the No. 21 Milan fashion week show, which brought breezy pastels and heavy blacks side by side on the runway. Lace had a starring role: at times making up full dresses, at others taking shape on the blink-and-you'll-miss-it detailing (like a surprise lace panel at the back of a heavy knit). Elsewhere in Alessandro Dell'Acqua's fall / winter 2011 offering, sequins and feathers were richly embellished onto tunics for a more ostentatious turn. But where the collection was strongest was in the high-shine take on masculine dressing, with boxy trousers and collared shirts under knits all assembled with a modern update.
Picture Gallery Preview
Click To View Full Gallery
[ Read the rest of 'No. 21: texture and shine' ]
Closing Lorella SignorinoWritten by Tania Braukamper on 01.03.2011
With a collection described by Daniel as 'sexualised and youthful', Lorella Signorino's Milan fashion week show was suitably energetic. Captured on video, the closing moments were a fast-paced romp through the 70s tones and boho embellishments that took to the runway during the parade.
Picture Gallery Preview
Click To View Full Gallery
[ Read the rest of 'Closing Lorella Signorino' ]
Alessandra Ambrosio: right and wrongWritten by Daniel P Dykes on 28.02.2011
With 70s fashion back in full force, Alessswandra Ambrosio gives her own off duty model take on the flared trousers revival. While still making a statement this cut, flared from below the knee, is the sort that you should be avoiding if you're looking at flares and bell bottoms as a statement for the season. Follow the link to the flared trousers article to find out more.
[ Read the rest of 'Alessandra Ambrosio: right and wrong' ]
Lorella Signorino's Atelier stays youngWritten by Daniel P Dykes on 28.02.2011
Lorella Signorino marked the positioning of her new 'Atelier' label from the get go: in mere moments the atmosphere of her Milan fashion week showing turned from light piano, to a hard beat, to a somewhat exposed Ruby Aldridge pounding down the catwalk. Sexualised and youthful? Certainly. This is, after all, the catwalk debut of a new label from a designer who had previously brought us the label 'Love Sex Money'. Lorella Signorino Atelier was never going to open demurely.
Picture Gallery Preview
Click To View Full Gallery
[ Read the rest of 'Lorella Signorino's Atelier stays young' ]
Pierre Ancy's unique checkWritten by Daniel P Dykes on 27.02.2011
It kicked off with a beat you'd hope to ozsnly feel were you in a nightclub, though this was no club catwalk event (been there, hope not to do that again). That was about as far as the comparison between clubs and this Milan fashion week showing went. Some catwalks use their music to set a tone, Pierre Ancy used theirs to give the models a tempo to walk to.
MFW
Milan fashion weekFollowing the New York and London fashion weeks, some of fashions biggest names take their collections to the runway of Milan. Occurring twice a year for the autumn (fall) / winter and spring / summer seasons, Milan fashion week brings the Italian city to life with swarms of celebrities, media and fashion industry icons alike.
Here you'll find coverage of Milan fashion week for 2011 and past years including 2010.
Milan fashion week A/W 2011 coverage
Albino's colourful closingWritten by Tania Braukamper on 08.03.2011
The technicolor-dreamcoat colours in ssvstripes and confetti-like petals that stole the spotlight at Albino's Milan fashion week show were even more striking when clustered together in the final walk. Our video of those closing moments doesn't quite do the colours justice; but it does offer some insight into the overall effect and the detail we remarked upon in our review.
Picture Gallery Preview
Click To View Full Gallery
[ Read the rest of 'Albino's coloufzsful closing' ]
Closing walk at Massimo RebecchiWritten by Tania Braukamper on 05.03.2011
While you can't see the opulence of the venue as described by Daniel in his review of Massimo Rebecchi's show at Milan fashion week, you can certainly get a glimpse into the collection via this video of the closing walk.
Picture Gallery Preview
Click To View Full Gallery
[ Read the rest of 'Closing walk at Massimo Rebecchi' ]
Charge of the model brigadeWrittenfsz by Tania Braukamper on 04.03.2011
When Antonio Marras' Milan fashion week show closed, the models didn't so much walk as they did storm forth en masse, washed over with dramatic music and waves of applause. In our video of those closing moments you can also get a sense of Marras' masculine-meets-feminine undergarments, used throughout the collection: cutaway collared shirts and black slips with sheer panels.
Picture Gallery Preview
Click To View Full Gallery
[ Read the rest of 'Charge of the model brigade' ]
No. 21: texture and shineWritten fszby Tania Braukamper on 03.03.2011
Texture. That were the key element at the No. 21 Milan fashion week show, which brought breezy pastels and heavy blacks side by side on the runway. Lace had a starring role: at times making up full dresses, at others taking shape on the blink-and-you'll-miss-it detailing (like a surprise lace panel at the back of a heavy knit). Elsewhere in Alessandro Dell'Acqua's fall / winter 2011 offering, sequins and feathers were richly embellished onto tunics for a more ostentatious turn. But where the collection was strongest was in the high-shine take on masculine dressing, with boxy trousers and collared shirts under knits all assembled with a modern update.
Picture Gallery Preview
Click To View Full Gallery
[ Read the rest of 'No. 21: texture and shine' ]
Closing Lorella SignorinoWritten by Tandvvgia Braukamper on 01.03.2011
With a collection descr;ljibed by Daniel as 'sexualised and youthful', Lorella Signorino's Milan fashion week show was suitably energetic. Captured on video, the closing moments were a fast-paced romp through the 70s tones and boho embellishments that took to the runway during the parade.
Picture Gallery Preview
Click To View Full Gallery
[ Read the rest of 'Closing Lorella Signorino' ]
Alessandra Ambghhrosio: right and wrongWritten by Daniel P Dykes on 28.02.2011
With 70s fashion back in full force, Alessandra Ambrosio gives her own off duty model take on the flared trousers revival. While still making a statement this cut, flared from below the knee, is the sort that you should be avoiding if you're looking at flares and bell bottoms as a statement for the season. Follow the link to the flared trousers article to find out more.
[ Read the rest of 'Alessandra vfdAmbrosio: right and wrong' ]
Lorella Signorino's Atelier stays youngWritten by Daniel P Dykes on 28.02.2011
Lorella Signorino marked the positioning of her new 'Atelier' label from the get go: in mere moments the atmosphere of her Milan fashion week showing turned from light piano, to a hard beat, to a somewhat exposed Ruby Aldridge pounding down the catwalk. Sexualised and youthful? Certainly. This is, after all, the catwalk debut of a new label from a designer who had previously brought us the label 'Love Sex Money'. Lorella Signorino Atelier was never going to open demurely.
Picture Gallery Preview
Click To View Full Gallery
[ Read the rest of 'Lorella Signorino's Atelier stays young' ]
Pierre Ancy's unique checrggkWritten by Daniel P Dykes on 27.02.2011
It kicked off with a beat you'd hope to only feel were you in a nightclub, though this was no club catwalk event (been there, hope not to do that again). That was about as far as the comparison between clubs and this Milan fashion week showing went. Some catwalks use their music to set a tone, Pierre Ancy used theirs to give the models a tempo to walk to.
Picture Gallery Preview
Click To View Full Gallery
sg
[ Read the rest of 'Pierre Ancy's unique check' ]
Massimo Rebecchi: a tale of contrastsWritten by Daniel P Dykes on 27.02.2011
The name of the venue was grand enough, Palazzo Clerici, but on arrival it was a typically Milanese courtyard that greeted me, the sun attempting to beat down on its paving through this near-spring afternoon. Walking inside the Italianess of the venue continued as I stepped up non-descript marble stairs whose only distinguishing feature from any other Italian stair case seemed to be the regal blue carpet lining them. If what was at the top of those stairs impressed me, a long wood panelled room whose decorations had long faded from glory, I remember not. What I do remember is the room in which Massimo Rebecchi's catwalk was to be held. Everything about that room, save for the stairs approaching it, is sumptuous. Long, perhaps fifty metres or so, no single part of it is untouched by craftsmanship. It's walls are made up of a mixture of gilt wood carvings, tapestries and mirrors greyed with age. The floor is a parquetry of multi-toned wood swirls sadly hidden by the carpet of the catwalk. The ceiling from which three lead crystal chandeliers hang is a trompe-l'oeil view of heaven that saw everything from archangels to horned beasts paying witness to this Milan fashion week showing.
To say that Massimo Rebecchi would have to offer up a fall / winter 2011 collection of impressive proportions in order to stand out in such a setting is to put it mildly. And that was going to be a tall order no matter how embellished the pieces sent down the catwalk. And so it was that the pops of colour that Massimo Rebecchi sent down his catwalk popped, while the pieces in winter hues simply couldn't make themselves stand apart in such a room, not matter how well embellished they were with golden mini-sequins or how delicate their lace.
