For Spring Summer 2019, Etro cast a net along the edges of the Pacific and returned with a collection richly inspired by the languid ease of coastal paradise. Starting with the lure of California surf culture: the sport-minded and sun-kissed freedom of Venice Beach’s bohemian tribes. We move towards the postcard perfect landscape of Hawaii, where each sunset is worth writing home about and the natural landscape – seashells, hibiscus flowers, palm fronds – provide all the accessories you could ever dream of. The journey
continues on Japan, where inspiration is mined from the country’s denim culture, sport history and finely perfected graphic traditions. But like the ocean’s tides, the borders between influences do not stand stable, mixing with Etro’s emblematic design codes: Paisley, patchwork and customarily rigorous construction. The result is a collection that is joyous, free and effortlessly Etro. This year Etro celebrated it’s 50 year anniversary. The Museum of Cultures in Milan was an easy choice to celebrate Etro’s first 50 years, as it shares the same spirit: the vocation for nomadism and an open attitude towards the wonders of the world. The MUDEC hosted ‘Generation Paisley’, which launched on 22nd September 2018 and will be open to the public with free entry from 23rd September to 14th October.
At Bally the open road beckons once more. An adventure inspired by photographic road trips in which retro sportswear inspired by 1970’s and 80’s colour photo hues is given a modern contemporary spin. Bally’s carefree wanderlust yearns to discover a simpler time and place disconnecting if only temporary, from today’s hyper-connected world. By escaping a bit, a connection to Bally’s luxury roots in Schônenwerd, Switzerland is found again. Not left behind is the desire for ease, comfort and functionality in stylish sportswear and accessories. Let the journey home begin.
Proposing new pairings for a softer take on suit dressing, Agnona artistic director Simon Holloway examines very essence of a suit and challenges the conventions of day wear. For Spring Summer 2019 a suit might be a trench, shirt and pant all in vicuña poplin, a workwear inspired jacket with a pencil skirt in century double-faced cashmere, a Nappa bomber trench over a jogging backed trouser or a semi-sheer jacket and pant in 18 gauge silk organza yarn. These are modern, minimal and rigorously detailed pieces with a couture spirit for a contemporary wardrobe. Colour is key, executed in shades of vicuña, sandalwood, ginger, cumin, turmeric, indigo, Moroccan rose, cinnabar and matcha green. This season colour gives a strong singular statement as Holloway proposes total looks in a single tone, never flat but with depth achieved through combining fabrications and yarns.
At Sergio Rossi there were signs of the times, glamour, and geometries. Symbols that become contemporary objects of desire, celebrating true femininity. For its new collection, Sergio Rossi continues to pursue evolution, rather than revolution, focusing on the experimentation with forms and the synthesis of different aesthetics when studying the shape of each piece of footwear. It all starts with optical white as with a blank page. The Biblioteca Ambrosiana – a museum that embodies the glorious and plain rigorousness of Milan’s cultural history – will display a series of entirely white styles alongside neoclassical marble busts. These are akin to imaginary paper patterns that place emphasis on the formal, abstract and incisive study of the different aesthetics and references of each creation.
