Exploring the use of lingerie as loungewear, designers in Milan and Paris are featuring bras and, especially, briefs in all manners of cozy layered ensembles this season. Coordination is key, as hipsters and boyshorts are being matched with turtlenecks, twinsets and coat-igans in lush woolen fabrics to combat the cold. – Nivara Xaykao
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Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana’s religious-icon-themed collection was full of extravagant detail. A reverent figure inspired by Monreale’s mosaics was recreated in delicate gold embroidery and opulent jewel embellishments, making this otherwise simple velvet tee appear to be a divine creation. — Marissa Stuart
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JEWEL OF THE CROWN
Milan: Religious reverence came around again as it usually does for Fall at Dolce & Gabbana, this time interpreted as more royal than rustic. Opening on dramatic Renaissance mosaic print dresses, the collection quickly established the crown as it’s symbolic throughline with heavy gold headpieces an accessory for throne-ready crystal embroidered dresses as well as the grey
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WORSHIPFUL PROLETARIAT
Milan: The ecclesiastical nature of Dolce & Gabbana’s design aesthetic lived on for F/W 13, but the designers weren’t limited to reverential opulence this time around, instead choosing silhouettes and styling appropriate for the proletariat. Oversized and wide-sleeved tops printed and embroidered with the Virgin Mary were given a casual slouch tucked into the season’s high-waisted and tapered trousers,
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Having thrown their hat into the children's arena this past July, Dolce & Gabbana's Fall 2012 campaign conjures warm fireside feelings as models Bianca Balti and Enrique Palacios act as parents to a gaggle of kids. Luxe estate pieces such as oversized Peter Pan collared shirts, casual flannels and luxe denim keep kids ready for the Fall while even littler ones
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The NFL referees may be on strike, but their presence is being felt all over the runways. Taking a page out of the Marc Jacobs playbook, several Milanese designers decorated boxy beach cover-ups with the stark vertical lines. "Stark" is the operative word here, as designers are using a limited palette of black and white (with a few shades of
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3-D flowers adorn many collections in Milan. Blooms range from simple daisy cutouts to intricate silk petals worked with lace. Some designers fixed blossom-shaped appliqués against floral-printed grounds, making the motifs seem to jump off the surface of the garment.– Sharon Graubard
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TO SICILY, WITH LOVE
Milan: Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana once again mined the rich cultural history of Sicily for their collection this season. Prints for the opening looks featured the Roman army, which conquered and lost Sicily several times throughout its years. Other motifs depicted portraits of men of different races, representing the many cultures that have laid claim to
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SICILIAN CELEBRATION
Milan: Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana presented an homage to Sicilian heritage, with an earnest collection modeled by actual residents — young boys to older men — from a handful of Sicilian towns and villages. The result was nostalgic and poignant, a recollection of warm summer days spent by the seaside. Silhouettes had a 1940s feel; pleated, cropped trousers
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Images left to right: Emporio Armani, Marni, Prada.
Shrinking bag silhouettes are emerging as an inspiring new item for F/W 12. Spotted on the Milan runways, these new scales complemented Fall apparel with a delicate and feminine accent. Styles varied from heavily embellished minaudières at Prada to minimalist soft satchel forms at Marni. Miniature silhouettes have evolved from S/S 12's Mini
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"Don't be an art critic. Paint. There lies salvation." - Paul Cezanne
The designers listened. A plethora of "on-duty" painter's boots have been spotted in recent weeks. The DIY trend has stricken once again and luxury retailers are offering worn and distressed footwear at high end level. Modern laceless sneakers in bright orange are presented for younger markets; steel toe work
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From decorative foulard scarves to Glastonbury's muddy fields, take a look at the best denim inspirations from the S/S 12 RTW shows.
Bottega Veneta
Last week's Bottega Veneta show, according to Tomas Maier, was about technology and handicrafts coming together. That puts it in close company with his men's Spring collection, but where that one seemed to be rooted in the 1960s,
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To coincide with the 150th anniversary of Italy’s unification, London's Somerset House reveals Masters of Style, bringing together six of Italy’s most influential fashion houses to celebrate the stories behind their country's fashion.
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