Looks like we are going to Africa: Max Mara kicked off day two at Milan Fashion Week Spring 2013 with safari jackets, jumpsuits and pants-cropped a plenty. To add an unexpected twist to the favourite spring trend, military prints were cleverly blended with leopard, floral prints, with models’ heads wrapped in turbans. The colour palette throughout remained tonally warmer than some of the other Spring 2013 collections we’ve seen thus far however there were some hits of blue (a prominent colour popping up this season). Shoes and accessories contributed to the theme by the use of fabrics-leather, pony hair and alligator were amongst the skins of choice while the odd model (including Canada’s own Grace Mahary) rocked oversized tortoise shell sunglasses to finish off her sophisticated attire.
United Colors of Benetton
From what I understand, the Benetton Group seems to want back the same appeal as it once had years ago—and there is a new designer that has come on board to execute this vision. The Spring 2013 collection (1st real collection for the new designer) is broken up into two parts—first more casual/day and the other a little more business. There was a solid presence of colour and prints; always good for spring with pieces being easy and interchangeable. Attention to detail is something they are aiming at improving and they just opened a pop-up New York store with the focus being on knits only. Will be interesting to see where the brand goes from here.
