Milan Fashion Week Review & Backstage Gallery: Gucci
It wouldn't be Gucci without an element of sex.
Milan might be a big city but when it comes to Fashion Week it's just like a small town — everyone knows what's going on. The taxi driver who picked me from the airport even had a laminated copy of the fashion week schedule. "Moda," he said with a grin, pointing at the document. I took his personal number as he was obviously a good person to know.
Gucci was the first show on our schedule and it's always a welcome initiation to Milan fashion week: it's all white carpet and champagne at 3pm. This season the clothes were more understated then usual, though. High-drama evening dresses were replaced with elegant, clean styles that flattered the body.
The key trends of the season so far were there —70s shapes and colours with long hemlines, large ruffles and flounces, plus big, voluminous sleeves. There was a tropical motif as well — bright colours and exotic prints dominated the collection. The jewellery, clumps of coral-coloured stones and crystal, looked like the Little Mermaid's crown jewels.
Of course it wouldn't be Gucci without an element of sex and this season the erogenous zones were the back and the shoulders. Floor-length, jewel-toned dresses were left open at the back and shoulders were highlighted by halter-neck and strapless dresses. It was all quite subtle, until Anja Rubik closed the show in a stunning white dress with a plunging neckline. (At least she was wearing underwear.)
Photography: Sonny Vandevelde
Alice Cavanagh
