milan fashion week


Milan Fashion Week trends for fall 2012

Milan Fashion Week has come to an end, and as Paris designers send their fall 2012 collections down the catwalk over the next week, we reflect on the trends from Milan which will make an impact this fall 2012.

Back in Black: As the classic AC/DC song goes, “Back in Black. . .” Milan designers turned up for fall with a dark and somber color palette. The majority of the designer collections which graced the Milan ready-to-wear catwalks were black with splashes of dark burgundy, chocolate brown, dark teal and dark forest green. An occasional sprinkle of dark purple and fuchsia could be spotted, but these feminine hues were few and far between.

Luxury: Designers thumbed their noses at worldwide economic distress and showed luxurious fabrications for both apparel and accessories. There were fur collars, velvet dresses, hand-woven lace, golden embroidery and lavish silks gracing Milan catwalks for fall; showing the fashion world that indulgence is in.

Flat Soled Pumps: While designers in New York showed both platform and flat soled pumps for fall, Milan designers went down to the ground and showed the return of the flat soled pump; something to think about while shoe shopping this spring and summer.

Textured handbags: Handbags in Milan were made from multiple fabrications, showing that texture is hot for fall. Designers mixed fabrics such as velvet and crocodile, leather and satin and also needlepoint with stingray.

The Small Handbag: At the turn of the century in the 1900’s, a proper woman never carried a handbag larger than her head. This mantra has returned for fall 2012. Handbags are small and medium sized with enough room for a wallet, keys, lipstick and smartphone. We didn’t need to carry the kitchen sink everywhere anyway!

City Shorts: Designers in Milan showed city shorts paired with leg coverings as an alternative to office attire for fall. This mild weather alternative to the pantsuit looks modern and sharp. Designers paired city shorts with blouses and blazers, giving the edgy bottom a conservative angle.

Dark lips: Many designers in Milan showed natural looking make-up with dark, vampy lipstick. It should be interesting to see if this trend hits the streets; it is not flattering on everyone.

Lace: While part of the luxury trend, lace dominated the Milan fall 2012 runways. This has been a hot fabric for the past year and is definitely worth investing in since it will remain important into winter 2013.

Bold Jewelry: The bold jewelry trend is staying hot for fall 2012. Milan designers showed chunky necklaces and earrings for the fall 2012 season. Look for yellow gold and black resin’s for the season’s hottest chunky baubles.

To view photos from the Milan Fashion Week runways for fall/winter 2012/2013, please click on the designers name below:

Bottega Veneta      Dolce& Gabbana     Giorgio Armani (one of the few designers to show color!)     Gucci    Just Cavalli

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How to get the Dolce & Gabbana runway beauty look at home: Backstage with Pat McGrath

Dolce & Gabbana showed their spring 2012 collection during Milan Fashion Week on September 25, 2011 and left Fashionistas everywhere wanting to re-create the runway make-up looks worn by the models during the show. The collection celebrated Italian culinary culture and Mediterranean traditions which was shown through the designing duo’s playful red hot pepper prints, pasta adorned accessories and pastel crocheted fabrications.

In order to capture this vibe in the make-up worn by the models on the runway, make-up artist extraordinaire Pat McGrath used Dolce& Gabbana make-up in spring 2012’s vibrant and intense hues from the new Passion Duo Lipstick and Perfect Finish Creamy Foundation.

Here is how Pat McGrath made up the models backstage at Dolce & Gabbana:

Cheeks:

Using a Dolce & Gabbana make-up brush, McGrath applied small amounts of “Perfect Finish Creamy Foundation” to the cheeks, nose, forehead and chin of the models. She blended the foundation by moving from the center of the face outwards in order to create a flawless base. Then, McGrath used Dolce & Gabbana blush in “Provocative” and “Rose.”She swept the blush over the apples of the models cheeks.

Eyes:

The Dolce & Gabbana Eyeshadow Quad in “Femme Fatale” was applied to the eyes and then lined on the lids in “black” and “coffee” which created definition and made the models’ eyes pop. To finish off the look, McGrath used “Secret Eyes Mascara” in black to add volume to the lashes.

Lips:

There were two shades of Dolce & Gabbana’s “Passion Duo” lipstick used on the spring 2012 runway during Milan Fashion Week: “Imperial” and “Sensation.” The lipstick gave the models’ lips both moisturizing pigment and a sheer gloss.

Nails:

The nails on Dolce & Gabbana’s spring 2012 runway were in two of the season’s hottest hues: “Dahlia” and “Wild Green.” Both colors will be “must have’s” for the spring 2012 season.

Domenico Dolce: “This season we were inspired by the charm and beauty of Southern Italy; the food, the smells and the sense of occasion. After all, this is at the very heart of our culture and heritage and is so dear to us.” Stefano Gabbana agrees: “This collection symbolizes our love for the Mediterranean spirit; from the distinctive illuminations that adorn every street and the fragrances and tastes of Mediterranean food. We see this as true Italian beauty.”

Pat McGrath took this inspiration backstage and brought the designing duo’s love for traditional cuisine and heritage to life with effortlessly glamorous make-up which embodies the Italian spirit. “I just love how the simple yet chic make up look we have created complements the stunning SS12 catwalk collection. I love the references to food in the collection and how the makeup look accompanies this; plump red tomato lips, deep aubergine and fresh green nails looked amazing and using the new Creamy Foundation and passion Duo shades was so exciting and really enhanced the look we were trying to achieve. The signature Dolce & Gabbana inspiration and heritage was again ever present on the catwalk, and I feel the vivid yet sophisticated make up really worked to bring the whole collection to life.”

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D&G makes its final walk down the runway for spring 2012 at Milan Fashion Week

Dolce & Gabbana sent their last D&G collection down the spring/summer 2012 runway during Milan Fashion Week yesterday, leaving tears in the eyes of Fashionistas everywhere. The D&G line, which is the bridge line to Dolce & Gabbana’s main collection, is a collection filled with fashion-forward, mainly casual attire which offers designer quality and design at moderate price points; $200+. The D&G collection has always been loved well by Fashionistas and although still expensive, has been one of the more attainable designer lines.

The spring 2012 collection was bittersweet as models walked the runway in vivid and colorful prints. Dolce & Gabbana created an amazing collection for spring 2012 yet the line gave off a wistful vibe as the fashion world knew it would be the last time the bridge line would be sent down the runway. Dolce & Gabbana announced at the runway show that they have decided to retire the D&G line in order to focus thier efforts on their main designer line. A moment of silence please.
To view photos from the D&G spring 2012 collection shown during Milan Fashion Week please click here.