Milan Fashion Week

As editors, buyers, and celebrities escaped to Milan this week for the Italian Spring 2018 Fashion Week, and retailer executives returned from the National Retail Federation Conference at Shop.org, both ends of the industry spectrum were preoccupied with the same question: how does a brand embrace innovation and save itself from extinction?

Turns out it’s a question we should be asking too, dear shopping extraordinaires… because these industry changes will likely affect the way we shop. (How much longer till we drop?!)

Here’s a highlight to shed some light on our potential answer: Gucci has emerged as a success story, having been able to captivate the minds and wallets of millennials. As a consequence, Gucci has decided to follow suit (or in this case, bag?) of Louis Vuitton by eliminating presales, private sales, all sales—making everything full price always. Even the overstock inventory will be sold through other channels, mainly their outlet. Of course, they still have a wholesale division (unlike LV), which means they can’t control everything. So there is hope: you might still be able to get your latest biannual Gucci style on sale from a retailer. And—please don’t shoot the messenger (us)—but should this experiment work for Gucci, it is only a matter of time before other brands will follow.

Sigh. That means it’s also only a matter of time before all of us are actively preoccupied with another universal question: why aren’t we rich? Full disclosure, though: we were already asking that question last week when we visited the Loro Piana sample sale, and pined for a $1769 pair of slippers.

So before you worry about striking it rich, focus on striking while the sales are still hot; Cinzia Rocca, an Italian luxury designer known for its (reasonably priced) outerwear, is hosting a sample sale this week. Throw in the Hanky Panky Warehouse Sale and the Diesel Sample Sale, and maybe you’ll be shopping enough to save fashion’s future singlehandedly…

Cheers!

Graphic eyes, natural skin and ponytails. When it comes to Milan Fashion Week, these three beauty trends defined the look.

Graphic eyes that matched graphic hair were seen at Giorgio Armani. Individualism was at the core of Marni’s beauty look. Prada and Moschino played on the bold colorblocking effect by creating a boy-or-a-girl kind of game.

Credit: WWD

Models Alessandra Ambrosio and Gigi Hadid were spotted in RtA Brand’s iconic biker style bottoms this Milan Fashion Week 2017.

Gigi Hadid in her RtA Brand Adrienne Biker Flare Pant colored in Black Rinse ahead of the Versace Fashion Show in Milan, Italy on September 22, 2017.

Alessandra Ambrosio touched down in Milan, Italy on September 19, 2017 in military style sporting RtA Brand’s Gisele Skirt colored in Argent.

Image credit: theshoppr.com

It’s Fall/Winter 2015-2016 fashion runway season, darlings, and we’ve already seen plenty of interesting things at the menswear shows. For example, the world collectively gasped and covered their mouths at the sight of designer Rick Owens’ infamous “penis runway“ at Paris Men’s Fashion Week, and the return of “loose fits” in menswear at Gucci, Armani and Versace has people wondering if perfectly-fitted suits are O-U-T out.

(Sidebar: We really hope the loose fit thing doesn’t make a comeback. We had enough of that in the ’80s and ’90s, thankyouverymuch).

If you are in the “biz,” or really serious about keeping up with the shows, Modem magazine has a comprehensive fashion week agenda, lists of showrooms, tradeshows, multi-label showrooms and events.

We’re excited to see what else comes sauntering down the fashion runway, and we’re sure you are, too. Fortunately, there are plenty of days and weeks left to get our fix. For your delight, we have attached the best head-turning menswear fashion week looks from the streets of Milan. Ladies, be kind to your men, don’t expect them to look or dress like that. Enjoy!

PS. Do let us know if you plan to attend anything tweet us #stylishweek – we’ll find you! We’d love to see your pictures or hear your thoughts on anything related to the fashion week.

By Wendy Rose Gould

Image credit: Flickr: plain-me select shop 男裝世界