My Fashion Life

Anytime soon, Miuccia Prada will be known as fashion’s mad hatter.….but do we care? No, we love her and her wacky approach which some how always works. Pulling looks from the sixties/seventies art scene, the collection from Prada is the stuff of fairytales….whimsical and dreamy.

Fabrics are soft and floaty, print dresses are paired with loud tights and attention grabbing platforms and colours are used solely for the purpose of clashing. Love it!

[Images:Style.com]

The catwalks in Milan consistently ooze sexiness every fashion week and the Spring 2008 collection from Moschino stayed true to form while retaining an element of mystery. Hemlines were short and plunging necklines were non-existent, dresses were shapeless and loose fits were the order of the day. The collection is filled with varied pieces from trapeze shaped dresses to jumpsuits, shorts and clear plastic anoraks which in my opinion weren’t such a good idea.

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Naturally many were looking forward to Ferré’s contribution to womenswear for Spring/Summer 2008 as it marked the final collection the designer worked on before he sadly passed away in June. The collection was completed by his design team and compromised structured figure flattering, easy-to-wear pieces that depicted Ferré’s unique and timeless perspective of fashion.

Models stormed the mirrored catwalk wearing thick-soled shoes that matched the soft earth toned pieces presented and light, loose materials such as silk and cotton featured heavily along with one of autumn’s biggest trends, high waisted, wide legged trousers. It’s been debatable as to who would take over at Gianfranco Ferre however the announcement was finally made after the show and ex Bill Blass designer Lars Nilsson has been appointed the man for the job.

[Images:Style.com]

With a collection for H&M set to debut this coming November as well as his main line being presented on September 26th, Roberto Cavalli is a busy man indeed, yet he still managed to wow his audience with his Spring/Summer 2008 collection entitled “La Ma Africa”.

Incorporating elements of ceremonial dress the collection took the crowd with thigh-skimming dresses, exotic bold geometric prints and lots of bright colours such as fuchsia, aqua, yellow and red…all accessorized with flashy bangles!

[Images:Style.com]

Inspiration for the Giorgio Armani collection came from close to home….South of Italy and Pantelleria….where Armani currently resides. His palette took us to the sea with a combination of water colors, fused light and deep shadows mixing natural and earth tones of beige putty and grey with translations of lava black and palm green. The collection consisted of long, sheer gowns and tunics with bright floral accents, while plunging v-neck bustier dress brought the myth of mermaids to life.

Evening wear remained long and glamorous. Pleats, knots, and dashes added a soft ease and fluidity, while beaded detail, crystal adornment and embroidery injected a little sparkle. The collection relied heavily on the shawl-sheer, woven and metallic- to complete looks both for day and night.

Sexy came in a different form this season for Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana’s D&G collection. The overall look took on a more relaxed feel with a vibe leaning towards hippie/ bohemian chic. Large floppy hats, slouchy leather messenger bags, and mid-calf gladiator sandals as well as gypsy-esque peasant style path-work dresses that were flowing with floral prints.

Mini brodcade shifts, patchwork denim dresses, and beaded dresses and trousers rounded out the boho looks, while sheer dresses trimmed with neon yellow and pink ruffles were signature D&G: ultra feminine and seductive with a whiff of bordello.

[Images:style.com]

The fashion pack have moved on to Milan and Naomi Campbell showed us that she’s still one of the hottest models around as she strutted her stuff for Miss Bikini Luxe!

Modern, contemporary, and structural are just a few words which came to mind when I first saw the creations from footwear designer Max Kibardin. Previously an architect student, Kibardin gave up his studies in Russia to follow fashion and is currently based in Milan. Inspired by elements of architecture, costumes and inhabitants of the underwater kingdom for his Spring/Summer 07 collection, a humble Kibardin shares a little about himself and his work with us….

When did you decide your future was in designing shoes and not architecture and what prompted the career change?

Unfortunately I’ve never seen my future in architecture, even if I take a lot of inspiration from it. My parents wanted to see me with a serious direction in my studies and with scholarship won I just chose the most prestigious speciality at my University. But I always had passion for Fashion. So I was modelling, styling and then studying again Fashion Design at Istituto Marangoni. Designing clothes I discovered that my drawings were too constructive (I think previous studies influenced) that doing colloquiums and showing my works to some important designers, I was suggested to consider really the idea of designing accessories. From accessories my favorite’s were always shoes, so once I tried I’ve never stopped.
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