The Best of Milan Fashion Week: Spring 2016

The Italian fashion greats lead the charge as the big guns came out to play at Milan Fashion Week with spectacular collections that wowed the fashpack.

With such diverse trends we can only hope that the high street looks to these inspiring collections to bring some fun, finesse and femininity to mainstream fashion next summer.

Here are our picks of the top 10 shows from Milan…

Bottega Veneta

Glamorous summer dresses and gowns were the highlight at Bottega Veneta’s city goes country show. Gathering, bindings and eyelets add interest and an urban edge to the otherwise botanical colours and flowing natural fabrics.

Etro

This was an etherial collection that featured neutral shades that were accentuated with metallics – gold, bronze, copper and silver – and soft purples and greens. Soft layering, frills, floral pattern and embroidery result in a glam beatnik feel.

Emporio Armani

Short suits, flirty botanical patterns and soft shades of grey and pink from nude and pale rose through to coral and highlights of burnt orange. The collection was reminiscent of the 80s working girl with the structure relaxed and softened.

Blumarine

Blumarine is known for it’s romantic feminine style and this show didn’t disappoint. Chiffons in soft colours and gently folded layering were off set by stark black and splashes of red. Floral patterns and embellishments added to the romantic theme for SS16.

Max Mara

The stars and stripes theme was prominent at Max Mara and with boat necklines and double fronted trousers it was a very nautical show as well. The funky twist on the usual breton stripe and avoiding the navy and white combination makes this feel very fresh.

Alberta Ferretti

It was clear to see the warm earthy tones that influenced Alberta Ferretti for her SS16 show. Speaking of her inspiration she said: “The desert is free, there’s movement, there are possibilities. I closed my eyes and we had many, many ideas.” The flowing fabrics and relaxed silhouettes gave it a very boho feel.

Gucci

New creative director Alessandro Michele brought flirty fun and colour to Gucci this season. Pretty pinks, romantic embroidery and rainbow brights made it a feminine and fanciful collection for summer.

Dolce & Gabbana

As has been the case over the last few years Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana brought their love of Italy into their collection with playful cutouts, sequinned slogans and ecclesiastical prints. It was fun and flirty and harked back to 1950s Riviera resort wear.

Giorgio Armani

Red was the highlight colour on Giorgio Armani’s SS show that celebrated 40 years of his label. Mixed with black, white and soft pink and grey it created a sophisticated and cohesive  collection.

Jil Sander

Rodolfo Paglialunga kept true to the Jil Sander style with minimalism, clean lines and deconstruction. Silky fabrics skimmed the body with cutouts adding interest to these ladylike designs.