MIilan: Milan fashion week opened with a classic collection from Gucci setting the mood for spring-summer 2011 style.
Outlandish fashion falls tend to fall flat in these days of economic crisis, with designers preferring a return to staple styles that pass the test of time and Gucci was no exception
Frida Giannini, the Roman designer who took over the reins several years ago, dipped into the equestrian past of the Florentine house for inspiration, especially for her handbags, without ever succumbing to nostalgia.
The show presented on Wednesday, which was the first of the six-day preview, was colourful and fast-moving with a sophisticated elegance gleaned from the1970’s and a Mediterranean allure.
High-waisted tulip skirts shared the runway with harem pants. Softly tailored men's coats, competed with fitted riding and bomber jackets, while bright shades of orange, purple and green contrasted with safari beige and basic black.
The 1970's glamour was most evident in a series of hot evening dresses each in colorful metallic satin with intricate fringe detailing. And the daytime look was cinched by a gold belt with playful tassels.
Tassels also played a major role when it came to bags. Mini shoulder bags with prominent stitching were decorated with tassels, as was the new ‘Snaffle Bit Bag’ which harks back to the original saddle bag and has a horse-bit clasp. A darker version of the famous bamboo handle was another tribute to past Gucci glory.
The latest Gucci footwear -sandals with python detailing and metallic heels, and ultra-light basket-weave boots were very contemporary and very high.
On Wednesday, Alberta Ferretti presented a collection that reached way back into the annals of fashion, to the days of romantic maidens. Natural shades of green and beige featured prominently here, as did delicate knitwear. Ferretti's option was contemporary but romantic, as opposed to edgy.
The alluring styles were either short or long, but never sexy. They caressed rather than grabbed the body, and their transparency was more a hint than a revelation.
Over the next six days more than 60 of Italy's top ready-to-wear designers, including high-end labels Armani, Cavalli, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Ferre, Prada, and Versace will present their latest warm weather wears.
Meanwhile, Italian designers Dolce & Gabbana hosted a fundraising party at their flagship store in London to celebrate Naomi Campbell’s 25th year in the fashion industry.
Money was raised for victims of the floods in Pakistan, with the proceeds going through Naomi's Fashion for Relief charity.
"I think, not just of this disaster, but of all the ones over the last three years," said Campbell.
But the model, as famous for her outspoken views as for her beauty, also managed to draw criticism on Wednesday, after referring to herself as a ‘scapegoat’ in the Charles Taylor trial, in which she was called to give evidence regarding blood diamonds she was allegedly given by Taylor.
Referring to herself in the third person, she said: "It was nothing to do with me. This trial has been going on for how many years and no-one cared to write about it?
“You bring Naomi Campbell to the stand and the whole world knows,” she told the UK’s Sky News. “So as far as I was concerned, I was used as a scapegoat.”
