Milan Fashion Week: Fall 2014 gone commercial?

See the Milan Fashion Week looks »

Prev

Next

Photography by Peter Stigter

1/5

Versace Fall 2014

Versace Fall 2014

There are a few trends of the moment that look as if they are going to be around longer than a moment.

Digi prints, fabric-blocking, arty references and elevated sport  (all in the spotlight for Spring 2014) are among the familiar turf that is being revisited here for fall.

It almost feels as if Italy’s step into the future is a tentative one. Unless you are talking about coats, and then designers are taking a big, bold leap into long-haired shearling.

Minimalism is creeping in to some collections, most notably at Versace, where Donatella mostly kept embellishment in check for her sleek pantsuits and hanky-hem dresses. Even the patterned minks weren’t as over the top as they could have been in her hands. Sportmax had some outfits that were shown two ways: one subdued, one not. For instance, deep V dress came in solid red and black, as well as a wildly-coloured paint splatter print.

Some people are using the C-word (commercial) to describe some shows. But is that such a bad thing? Perhaps the yearning to move merch explains how varied some collections can be.

Blumarine had a buttoned-to-the-neck leather dress walking behind a peekaboo floral and lace mini. Confused? You’re not alone.