Milan Fashion Week

Milan Fashion Week, surprised us once again this year. For the lucky ones who went and for those who couldn't, I will give a brief description of seven brands that were part of the catwalk. 

Once again the italian brand presented an ironic look? Red, blue, yellow but mostly black and white brought up Moschino’s military, pop art inspired collection. The small jackets together with the mini skirts, golden buttons and of course skinny pants were a must in this catwalk. As well as big bows and bracelets which gave a very glamorous and feminine touch.  

Feminine, modern and very sensual is Prada's 2012 fall/winter collection. Kaleidoscopic and geometric prints are the protagonists, making women's silhouette look very elongated. Pants, frock coats, tuxedo jackets, belts and jewel applications stand out this collection giving women a very elegant look. 

Opulence is the perfect word to describe Dolce & Gabbana's collection, which seemed as a baroque or rococo catwalk. White and mostly black were seen, but not sober at all since it was full of laces, brocades, gems and jewelry, wether in the dresses or tiaras worn by the models. You cannot miss any design because many of them are real works of art. As well as the decoration, with great gilt frames and lamps. 

Emilio Pucci's collection surprised us since very few op art fabrics, typic of the brand, were present. Instead, it could be seen leather imitating crocodile, shinny and transparent fabrics for a very sensual and seductive women.  Camel, white and mostly black were the predominating colors in this catwalk. 

Fendi’s catwalk looked very savagery as the models were using braids and it seemed they had just arrived from hunting the skins. The fur in clothes either in single colors or very colorful, huge belts that made the waists of the models look very small, leather imitating crocodile skin but overall the mix of fabrics and colors, all in dark ranges, either green, blue or brown were the highlights of the runway.

Plum, black, forest green and blue were the colors seen in Gucci's collection. velvet, silk, and transparent fabrics used to highlight women's silhouette and make them look very romantic, glamorous, seductive but at the same time mysterious. Shoes, military boots and bags were very important to complete the gorgeous looks seen in the catwalk.  

Hunter green, black, brown and camel were the most seen colors in Max Mara's military inspired collection. The necks became stiff and fur isn't missing, tweed pants appeared as well as satin in the dresses and silk in the bell-bottoms.

Gabriela Mazepa - the eco friendly designer

Global warming is a worldwide problematic. Every year the earth is suffering man’s careless and hazardous actions towards the ecosystem. You might be wondering, what has fashion to do with global warming?

Well, every season designers launch their new collections in order to satisfy fashion trends and peoples wardrobes. But, what happens with clothes that haven’t been sold out? The fall out garments and fabrics are burnt every year releasing gases that damage the atmosphere. This is the reason why Brazilian designer Gabriela Mazepa has launched Conexao, which means connection in Portuguese.

In her early childhood Gabriela spent most of the time at her mum’s fashion studio where she was first introduced to the world of needles and threads. She often found herself sketching and drawing instead of attending math classes. Gabriela has studied architecture and contemporary dance though she decided to follow her first love, fashion design.

Through Conexao, this eco friendly designer together with people from different backgrounds have the intention to protect the environment we live by transforming the unsellable existent clothing’s into fashionable garments and accessories instead of letting them to burn.

This is what makes Conexao completely different from the normal scheme where designers choose a theme and then look for the materials and shapes that fit that theme. Making it the reason why Conexao has been developed as a “limited edition” fashion collection since the reinvented garments and accessories have gone through massive changes from their original states as a result of the dedication, determination and creative instincts from the people working in the project.

The left garments, fabrics and materials that are used to produce the collections of Conexao are from a warehouse in Sri Lanka where Gabriela inspires the way she applies her creativity to reproduce designs that impact the environment in a positive way. As well, the images and memories of the country supply her of ideas. Gabriela finds it a pleasure going to work to Sri Lanka due to its similarity with Brazil and the kind and beautiful smile in people’s face she works with that although they don’t understand English and have to communicate through mimes and sketches nevertheless they keep on smiling.

Gabriela Mazepa through Conexao wants to create conscious in people who are not aware of the damage that the burning of fall out garments produce in the ecosystem. Also, she wants to promote that by wearing any her recycled garments you are doing something to help conserve and protect the environment.

Urs' get international'

First day of class, first assignment! We had to do a video in groups presenting ourselves but trying to make it a little funny, so here is my best... Hope it steals you some smiles!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FKLCGz_lZQ