GOTHIC EXPERIMENT
Milan: John Richmond expanded his range for F/W 12, flexing his imagination with a slick, gothic inspiration. Sticking to a monochromatic palette, Richmond’s fit and flare silhouette was both modern and feminine, featuring burnout sheath dresses, full a-line skirts and nipped-waist suits. Corset boning and wide belts defined the waist, and florid black and white patterns were clean and dimensional. Further along in the presentation, Richmond returned to his signature pencil skirts and body conscious dresses, though several voluminous floor-length skirts were surprising standouts. Unfortunately, it was Richmond’s more experimental pieces that fell flat; mirrored skeleton graphics looked silly following sophisticated suiting, while sheer net dresses and cage skirts seemed too vulgar to qualify as eveningwear.—Nina Stotler
Silhouette: Fitted / Hourglass / A-line / Full / Fit and flare / Body-conscious / Long
Color: Black / White / heather grey / Lilac / Navy / Chocolate / Violet
Key Items: A-line sheath dresses / Molded hourglass jackets / Pencil skirts / Sheer blouses / Full a-line skirts / Knit dresses / Motorcycle jackets / Notch collar dresses / Slim trousers / Skirt suits / Turtlenecks / Nipped waist jackets / Silk t-shirts / Sheer gowns / Voluminous floor-length skirts
Materials: Wool / Silk / Leather / Mohair / Metallic bouclé / Jersey / Fur / Burnout brocade / Padded nylon / Crochet / Chiffon
Print + Pattern: Graphic curls / Burnout florals / Checks / Stripes / Skeleton graphics
Details + Trim: Contrast trim / Stand-up collars / Ruffles / Pleating / Pintucking / Self-belts / Patch pockets / Hoods / Fringe / Asymmetry
Accessories + Footwear: Sporty lace-up ankle boots / Corset belts / Miniature frame bags / Studded ankle boots / Fingerless leather gloves / Round sunglasses / Clutches / Chain choker necklaces / Strappy pumps
