From Prada’s patchwork coats and Armani’s maritime candy stripes to Gucci’s 1970s fur-trimmed dreamscape, Milan was an emotive burst of prints, texture and colour. Dolce & Gabbana channelled matadors and flamenco dancers via ornate print and romantic embroidery, while Fendi’s floral designs climbed up dresses and cut into leather. Bottega Veneta was inspired by dance and movement, beautifully translated using light, macramé knit, gingham and sequins.
There was plenty of suede, fringing and denim throughout the collections, reminiscent of Talitha Getty and a bygone Hippie-Mecca, with rough hems and frayed edges (see Prada and Bottega). It feels like Italian glamour has taken a new direction for S/S15, with a little less flesh and a bit more fantasy, structured by the Italian baroque tradition. Here, we consider key fabric swatches from the collections.
Text by Mhairi Graham
