Milan Fashion Week Runway Report

By Bee-Shyuan Chang
September 29, 2010

Viva Italia! The fashion set continued on its month-long runway trek to Milan, where the Spring 2011 shows, which ended yesterday, breezed on by in fine form. But though the styles won't hit racks until next year, what with the zippy speed of the digital age, fashion trends proliferate quicker than you can click "buy." It's a melding of the seasons, if you will, and Milan had plenty to keep an eye out for. "The trend from Milan is confidence!" New York-based stylist Avena Gallagher distilled. Gallagher, who has styled brands from Rachel Comey to Diesel, was particularly inspired by the bold collection at Prada: "It was an unapologetic, outrageously sexy, decisively feminine season of wearing smoldering things that are strictly women's wear... love it!" Meanwhile, stylist David Widjaja, who has worked with celebrities such as Marisa Miller and Kerry Washington, spotted a retro spin. "There was a louche '70s vibe in longer lengths and the return of the wide-legged pants," he told us. For those looking forward to a spring full of stylish options, here's a rundown of the notable trends from the Italian fashion capital.

BOLDLY WHIMSICAL PRINTS

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NEW Chico's Monkey Print Top

search term: monkey top

(buy it now price, $26.99 )

Vintage '70s Print Dress

search term: pink '70s print dress

(buy it now price, $88 )

Vintage '80s Parrot Print Ruffled Minidress

search term: tropical print dress

(buy it now price, $32 )

Prada (Photo by Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty Images)

Led by Prada's Josephine Baker-meets-baroque playful monkeys collection, Milan designers said basta! to the minimalist looks spotted at New York and London Fashion Weeks. From a madcap tropical affair at Prada to the psychedelic prints at Marni, bold patterns with a tongue-in-cheek sense of humor were the name of the game.

COLORBLOCKING

Old Navy Cotton Jacket

search term: bright green coat

(buy it now price $29 )

St. John Hot Pink Silk Blouse

search term: pink silk blouse

(starting bid $49.99)

Vintage Colorblock Wedge Heels

search term: colorblock wedges

(buy it now price, $50 )

Jil Sander (Photo by Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty Images)

Say goodbye to black-on-black. Spotted at Jil Sander, brights were paired together to maximum effect. For those that need a bit of easing into the color-saturated look, take a note from Karl Lagerfeld's Fendi collection, where colorblocked wedges were the perfect complement to a more relaxed silhouette.

LONGER HEMLINES & LOOSER SHAPES

NEW Jean Paul Gaultier Black Maxi Skirt

search term: black maxi skirt

(buy it now price, $119.99)

Tsumori Chisato White Laser-Cut Lace Dress

search term: white lace sun dress

(buy it now price $234)

NEW Temperley London Long Beaded Caftan

search term: blue long caftan

(buy it now price, $300)

Emilio Pucci (Photo by Karl Prouse/Catwalking/Getty Images)

After several seasons of up-to-there bodycon minidresses, it's a relief to see womenswear loosen up a bit. Hemlines dropped—hovering around the knee or hitting the ankles—and there wasn't too much lycra in everything. Tomas Maier at Bottega Veneta and Peter Dundas of Emilio Pucci offered up some effortless flowing skirts and dresses, as did Dolce & Gabbana, who fashioned theirs with accents of white lace.

CUT OUTS

NEW Alexander Wang Black Cut Out Ponte Dress

search term: black cut out dress

(buy it now price, $146.09)

NEW Gucci 'Helena' Cut Out Tall Boots

search term: cut out tall boots

(buy it now price, $1,299)

NEW Kimono Sleeve Purple Cut Out Cardigan

search term: cut out cardigan

(buy it now price, $25.19)

Marni (Photo by Chris Moore/Catwalking/Getty Images)

Leave it to Donatella Versace to inject a bit of sex appeal to ladylike dresses. Instead of opting for cleavage, Versace played with showing other, less obvious swaths of skin, with cut out notches at the waist and shoulder. Meanwhile, Frida Giannini at Gucci let a bit of leg show through woven black boots and Marni went the way of quirky with laser cut hole-y cardigans.

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