Post date: Feb 22, 2012 7:50:51 PM
MILAN, ITALY (FEBRUARY 22, 2012) (REUTERS) - Fashion brands Gucci and John Richmond kicked off Milan Fashion Week on Wednesday (February 22) with dark, romantic shows.
Gucci's designer Frida Giannini started the autumn-winter 2012 collections revealing an opulent range, combining tapestry motifs and floral prints.
Milan Fashion Week opens with sensual glam; feathers at Gucci and velvet at John Richmond.
Capes in leather or wool were worn over leather trousers and coupled with crocodile riding boots for a sporty elegance, while belted dresses had tight waistlines to emphasise the slim silhouettes.
For evening wear, flowing pleated black gowns were embroidered with floral patterns of micro-crystals, giving a romantic allure to the sensual creations.
Green velvet pyjama-style suits added to the idea of a comfortable elegance and iridescent feathers were the must-have of the opulent show, apparently designed for a romantic woman who wants to seduce with personality.
Meanwhile British designer John Richmond created a gothic collection with black velvets and geometric cuts.
His models wore dresses with raw, fringed edges and wide fitted belts. To help create a romantic theme the designer also played with laces and crinolines.
Jackets were short while skirts were full and round and the colour palette was mono-chromatic with rare flashes of violet and high heeled black leather shoes.
The organisers of the Milan fashion week have tried to balance the presence of top brands and emerging names in the calendar of more than 135 shows between catwalks and showrooms.
After Gucci opened on Wednesday, Giorgio Armani will effectively close on Monday (February 27), in a bid to keep buyers and media in Milan as long as possible. Newcomers will have their catwalks on Tuesday (February 28), when the fashion marathon will be already moving to Paris.
Overall 72 Italian and international brands will take to the runways over the week of Italian fashion shows and parties.