Milan fashion week’s hemlines are very short, and the body is fully displayed through a variety of garment constructions. Then there is the alluded sexiness. As seen at Prada, a silk dress that skimmed the thighs was paired with a leather jacket. The shoes were pointed, but the kitten heel kept it from becoming too overt. Versace’s jackets had cutaways that showed glimpses of skin. Safety pins kept modesty intact. Latex was the preferred fabric for dresses. Missoni used a sleeveless gown made in silk zebra print that was cut diagonally across one breast to expose the other. The look was kept chaste by a bikini top that was layered underneath.
Sexy is back
Sexy is back big. The In Real Life world is truly missing all the energy that was stored up from working remotely. A new way of dressing has been developed because we need to be physically close to our loved ones, friends, family, colleagues, and even our lovers. After 18 months of hibernating, it’s time to let go of the isolation. According to the New York Times fashion critic, “There’s an explosion in hedonism waiting for it to happen, a need to release all of this pent-up emotion. It’s an instinctive human need, regardless of the global circumstances.”
Bandeau tops are everywhere
Fashion’s newest focal point is the stomach. They are best displayed in all their glory underneath cropped tops or bandeaux. The cover-ups are mostly long, usually with jackets. It will be there until the wind catches it. Max Mara is a brand that is best known for its tailored coats. Sporty cropped vests were paired alongside skirts above the knee at Max Mara. This left stomachs exposed. It’s a sign of maturity when a brand goes all-out sexy.
All things animal print were back at Cavalli’s first show as creative director Fausto puglisi. A house so richly decorated in glamour was expected to have a very sexy catwalk, but Puglisi’s designs also had a touch of modernism. The chunky biker boots, paired with a mini in tiger print and leather corsetry, felt fresh and relevant.
At the Milan shows, fashion, in any form, was not a very popular menu item. Even at Jil Sander where there was less body, the proportions were more loose, oversized, and less rigid.
This is perhaps the best way to sum up the first fashion season after Covid: the need for freedom in all its forms, including clothing.
