Day 1 at Milan Digital Fashion Week was all the rage and I felt the excitement in the air. Yes, all the way from behind my computer screen. I don’t know if it was the fashion or just that I was watching a fashion show virtually. What I am thoroughly enjoying about these virtual shows is that the brands somehow have more room to experiment. More room to break the glass ceiling in fashion. And boy! oh boy did they showcase some made creative skills with their virtual presentations. It’s day 2 and I’m still giddy with excitement and looking forward to Etro, Les Hommes and Dolce & Gabbana. So let’s just quickly scroll on then to get a quick gander at these shows.
All the details you need to know from day 2 at Milan Digital Fashion Week:
1) Etro
Veronica and Kean Etro presented the Men’s Spring-Summer 2021 and Women’s Resort 2021 collections staged in an open-air garden of Milan’s Four Seasons Hotel. Etro became something of a rule-breaker as they staged their fashion show to a live audience of 80-something mask-clad, safely distance guest at breakfast time. The show opens to a drone shot from above with a soundtrack by the late Italian composer, Ennio Morricone. It felt like the models were walking through the Garden of Eden and I was somehow hit with a sense of the ‘70s energy. All the garments seemed interchangeable and the gender lines were blurred.
Etro’s always been wildly popular for their prints and this year’s collection was inspired by the world of travel. The idea of also being rooted in the extended family was also a key element. We saw the floral paisley print, stripes, Madras checks, rich upholstery, patchwork and Navajo designs. Their collection at Milan Fashion Week even hinted to the Wild West with the neckties and cowboy shirt. The collection was mainly daywear looks and even featured faded denim, knitted cardigans, bomber jackets with a sporty-chic vibe.
2) Les Hommes
Creative Directors Tom Notte and Bart Vandebosch designed a sharp DNA collection where the inspiration is engrained in the essence of the brand. They call it, “The essence of Contemporary Elegance”. First, the show starts with fantastic beats; it really amplified the vibe of the model and the styling. On first sight, you’re able to tell the craft behind the looks and how they are inspired by the biker world.
Classic tailoring meets sportswear meets the biker vibe churning out a sophisticated yet powerful silhouette. It is the juxtapositioning of two seemingly opposite worlds but binds together seamlessly in this collection. The showcase was high in energy with quick-paced cuts and graphic elements. The accessories they showcased were fantastic, I really enjoyed the chain-link belts, the fingerless gloves, finger rings. My favourite though would have to be The Matrix-style sunglasses and gold, studded embellished sandals. Les Hommes was my favourite show from Milan Fashion Week Day 2 because of their structured garments.
3) Dolce And Gabbana
Following in Etro’s footsteps is Dolce & Gabanna who also had a live fashion show. The guests enjoyed the show in masks and with adequate social distancing in place. The fashion show took place in The Garden of the Humanitas University because the duo has been funding medical scholarships since 2019. The collection was inspired by Italian architect Gio Ponti’s astounding Parco dei Principi hotel in Sorrento. The designers literally translated Ponti’s use of blue, geometric tile designs all across the collection.
This spring-summer 2021 men’s fashion show was a mix of sea tones with white. The balance between modernity and neo-classicism inspired an architectural collection. Staying with the blue theme, we saw de-constructed suits, torn denim as wet suits, silk pyjamas with geometric tile prints. Some polo shirts and fabulous beach, hats and bags. The Dolce & Gabanna show at Milan Fashion Week was every bit the perfect depiction of Italian fashion at its best. Casual, chic and breezy.
Which of the collections from day 2 at Milan Digital Fashion Week did you like the most? Tell me in the comments below!
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