For all who love fashion, and the few who will have a chance to attend Milan’s Fashion Week, one word describes the Italian sense of style and enthusiasm: spectacular. The Italians, and the Milanese especially, take fashion and fashion trends very seriously – and often a little too personally.
Show-goer in Milan
From Italy with Love... VALENTINO
I'm Not A Fashion Victims - Italian plus models
From Italy With Love... PRADA
Show-goer in Milan
The Italians always make an effort to look their best and never shy away from expressing their individuality. Which helps to explain why Milan is, and has been since the 1980s, an important fashion hub.
On the Street... Cheap & Chic, Milano
Fashion Victimizers spotted on the streets at Milan Fashion Week
On the Street... Best Outerwear After Giorgio Armani, Milan
One Milan’s successes stems from the choice of textiles many Italian labels favor. They love softer and lighter fabrics that translate well with the more modern and sportier way of dressing. Can we say Giorgio Armani as the poster child? His empire was built on great practical and comfortable suits. Think of them as English tailoring gone PJ soft.
Canali - Spring 2011
Giorgio Armani on the cover of TIME, April 1982
Henry Fonda and Clarke Gable with Brioni founders
Whereas Armani and other classic labels like Brioni, Canali, Salvatore Ferragamo, or Ermenegildo Zegna, for example, went the understated polite route to make their mark, other designers chose to express their strong individuality and flair differently. Krizia became a cult favorite for her great coats, Valentino channeled femininity to the hilt, Franco Moschino used humor to great effect and Gianni Versace shocked and awed with a vengeance.
Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, Estelle Lefebure Hallyday, Paulina Porizkova in Gianni Versace - Spring-Summer 1987, photo: Richard Avedon
Krizia leopard wool dress and monichrome coat, 1986
Linda Evangelista for Valentino - Fall-Winter 1987-1988, photo: Steven Meisel
That incredible sense of the spectacular is what separates Milan from other fashion capitals. Fashion, like sports, is a quasi-religion; and when it comes to Milan Fashion Week, it’s a victory parade.
Looks by Franco Moschino
Gianni Versace advertisments, circa 1990
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