Underneath the layers, prints, and fabric, fashion is an art form at heart. Certainly, one of the first things I learned as a fashion design student was the importance of creating a consistent theme throughout a collection and to keep an open eye for inspiration. Nowadays I always check for designers’ mood boards on Pinterest to gauge the inspiration for their latest collection (Anna Sui has several). Unfortunately, in contrast to other forms of art and design, fashion is sometimes obfuscated by commercialism and fast fashion (Forever21, I’m looking at you) that is in vogue one day and out the next, literally.
But like a great painting, great fashion transcends time and space, much like Chanel’s signature tweet suit or the little black dress. And while I am guilty of taking part in the latest trends and speculating on upcoming trends from fashion week collections (I am a fashion blogger, after all), I look forward to fashion week mostly for the art. If I want to look at clothes that have mass appeal, I can visit any online boutique or head to the mall (/end rant). But fashion week is a time for emotion, experimentation, and pushing boundaries without compromising on good design (i.e.: like these weird looks from LFW).
That’s why my favorite show from Milan Fashion Week is Prada (see pictures above). The inspiration for Miuccia Prada is female power, and she depicted this by prominently displaying portraits of fearless, strong women in her collection. It’s not often that designers articulate political statements on the runway, and on this occasion the execution was impeccable and eloquent. Other collections from MFW that caught my eye for their timeless, nuanced designs are Etro and Alberta Ferretti.
Etro: Dubbed as “the rich hippie look” by WWD, Etro’s collection is world traveler meets sophisticate. Veronica Etro owes her inspiration to Gypsies, the Ottoman Empire and Indochina. The collection exudes optimism, a world free of boundaries yet void of chaos as depicted through her loosely structured ensembles.
Alberta Ferretti: A concoction of folkloric motifs from South Italy and South America, Ferretti’s collection is playful, vibrant, and cosmopolitan, proving that embroidery is no longer confined to the countryside.
Designer to watch from MFW: Peuterey Aiguille Noire. This is a collection that looks more familiar to what we see in stores than the others mentioned above, but its modern minimalist color blocking feels simultaneously energetic yet relaxed.
For more MFW inspiration, visit my Pinterest board.
