Monochrome outfits, Perspex bags and bold, geometric shapes hit the Milan catwalks during September鈥檚 Fashion Week in what seemed a throwback to the Op Art look of the Swinging Sixties.
Milan鈥檚 take on what women will be wearing next spring and summer was full of nostalgia, with A-line dresses and skirts, and flat or kitten-heel shoes. The most unusual footwear innovation were pairs of wafer-flat metallic, zip-up sock-boots by Miuccia Prada, which can be worn with chunky wedge sandals. Prada paired the sci-fi boots with Japanese-inspired boxy kimono-style dresses and skirts studded with kitsch appliqu茅 daisies.
Robert Cavalli added a touch of romance with his lacey cut-out and tropical-print calf- and full-length dresses and gowns. Giorgio Armani also opted for graceful grooming, showing floaty silk and organza trouser suits distinctive for the designer鈥檚 trademark elegant tailoring.
Dolce & Gabbana鈥檚 beachwear collection 鈥楽ea, Sun and Love鈥 stood out for its colourful deckchair stripe swimsuits and bikinis that reference swimwear from the mid-19th century to the 1950s, with demure brassiere-type tops and fulsome shorts. The duo continue to reference Sicily in their designs, showing dresses with prints featuring the island鈥檚 puppets and causing a row with their chandelier earrings shaped into the head of a black woman 鈥 the designers were quick to explain the earrings reference the Moors who settled in Sicily in the 10th century.
The other big story of the week was the appearance of model Raffaella Fico, the ex-girlfriend and alleged mother of footballer Mario Balotelli鈥檚 child. The six-months pregnant model flaunted her baby bump on the catwalk in a series of embroidered bikinis for Bologna-based fashion house Pin-Up Stars. Balotelli and Fico split up in April after a year-long relationship. Afterwards, Fico announced she was pregnant by the Italy and Manchester City ace footballer and Balotelli demanded a paternity test. Recently, they have announced they are getting back together for the sake of the baby.
