Prada S/S 2011

An impressive display of bold colors at Prada. Italian designer Miuccia Prada displayed her version of Latin American luxury that was full of bold colors and amazing fabrics. She referenced the late legendary performers Carmen Miranda and Josephine Baker. Miranda influenced the prints of the monkeys, cherubs and pineapples that she famously wore on her head while performing. The banana prints referenced the trademark skirts that Baker would wear in her cabaret act. The bold colors of orange, hot pink, greens and indigo blue referenced the bright colors from Latin America. Horizontal bold stripes were visible in the tops, skirts, jackets, beach-side totes and fox fur stoles. The nautical stripes and the uniform-like pieces were similar to her recent men's collection that was inspired by uniforms. There was a great selection of ruffled dresses with spaghetti-straps available in black, orange and pink. Plain cotton suits, similar to uniforms, came in bold colors of orange, violet, hot pink and indigo. The Prada look had a straight forward bold attitude with a luxurious quality.

The show was held at the Prada headquarters show space with a metal and steel structure runway that light-up when the show started. American model and Prada exclusive Arizona Muse opened the event in a bright orange cotton uniform suit paired with a dyed green fox tail stole. The plain cotton suits where offered in various bright colors of orange, hot pink, indigo blue, green and bold stripes. The skirts were tight fitting with hemlines to the knee and some pieces had a feminine touch of thick frills at the bottom of the skirts. The fit of the jackets and the tops were incredibly loose and matched the colors of the skirts that they were paired with. The dresses were fitted and offered bold prints and stripes. The cuts and colors of the clothes gave a Caribbean sensation and one might think of Cuba.

Admired pieces were the sun dresses that had plenty of structure with thin straps and a deep v-neck and had frills attached to the hemlines. The fox tail stoles were came in bold colors and stripes were the next spring season must have pieces.

Miuccia Prada displayed her idea of the perfect wardrobe for the unconventional Latin lady going on a holiday. This collection was brilliant with gutsy bold colors and prints from the Jazz era. The Prada women is bold with a great love for Latin America. -Brent Billiman, Milan, Italy.


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Arizona Muse for Prada S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Mariacarla Boscono for Prada S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Sara Blomqvist for Prada S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Caroline Brasch Nielsen for Prada S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Kinga Rajzak for Prada S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Anouck Lepere for Prada S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Hannah Noble for Prada S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Freja Beha Erichsen for Prada S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Valerija Kelava for Prada S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Daiane Conterato for Prada S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Lynn Amelie Rage for Prada S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Jessica Stam for Prada S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Kendra Spears for Prada S/S 11

Fendi S/S 2011

A casual and fresh look at Fendi. German designer Karl Lagerfeld and Italian designer Silvia Fendi Venturini created a collection had great elements of a couture collection with tremendous workmanship but maintained a casual relaxed attitude. A great attention to detailing in the fabrics was made in the rubber stamped organza, woven leather pieces and waxed nylon. Lagerfeld infused his German skills to the geometric cuts and ideas this season. It was all about the geometric form made with soft materials giving a free flowing sensation to each piece. The color palette for the collection was colorful and bright and inspired by the colors of the sunset. Shift dresses had immense volume with large proportioned sleeves, blouses and asymmetrical shirts were relaxed and free flowing. There was great innovation in the fabrics in the dramatic red dress in waxed nylon. The Fendi look had ladylike sophistication with a relaxed spring attitude.

The show was held at via Sciesa show space with what appeared to be a cappuccino stained backdrop and similar to the same design on the invites to the show. The soundtrack for the event was provided by the French DJ Michel Gaubert who sampled drumbeats and pulsing sounds from the 1970's erotic films. Polish model Anja Rubik opened the show in a white dress with a drawstring waist that had relaxed shoulders and sleeves. Amongst the relaxed white pieces was a colorful sensation of prints, detailing and cuts. Innovation with fabrics was the key element in a great number of pieces. The atelier like treatments of woven leather skirts, micro-flowers sewn on cocktail dresses and treated leather on a few pieces.

The red dramatic dress that was made in waxed nylon was greatly admired in the collection. Razor thin cocktail dresses embellished with micro-flowers were also very appealing. The vivid colors offered the bags and clutches were notable and created by Silvia Fendi Venturini, a second generation at Fendi.

Infusing a casual fresh look with couture like qualities was the key element to creating a successful collection at Fendi. The duo Karl Lagerfeld and Silvia Fendi Venturini brought a masculine and feminine approach to a collection that innovative and carefree. This collection displayed an immense amount of quality with the great detailing s and innovation with fabrics. The Fendi women has great sophistication and appreciation for luxury and quality. -Brent Billiman, Milan, Italy.


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Karlie Kloss for Fendi SS11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Anja Rubik for Fendi SS11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Anna Selezneva for Fendi SS11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Magdalena Frackowiak for Fendi SS11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Samantha Gradoville for Fendi SS11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Kendra Spears for Fendi SS11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Kasia Struss for Fendi SS11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Daria Strokous for Fendi SS11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Jacquelyn Jablonski for Fendi SS11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Freja Beha Erichsen for Fendi SS11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Kendra Spears for Fendi SS11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Constance Jablonski for Fendi SS11

Gucci S/S 2011

Legendary fashion photographer inspires Gucci. Italian designer Frida Giannini was motivated this season from the work of the late French fashion photographer Guy Bourdin. He was one of the best photographers in the business in the late half of the 20th century known for his controversy and style. His work that was referenced was from the 1970's when he was working with Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. Giannini also gave a nod to the late designer Yves St. Laurent. The color palette was bold with bright colors of violet, green, orange and turquoise. The 1970's chic sensation was visible in the jumpsuits, drop-crotch trousers, blazers, jackets and free flowing blouses. There was also the signature Frida pants that had a relaxed sensation available in black, beige, camel, turquoise and purple. The craftsmanship in the collection was obvious with immaculate details in the leather pieces visible on fringed jackets, leather pants and various cocktail pieces. The signature equestrian sensation was perceptible in the woven tassels and horse-bits in the belts and bags. The Gucci look was seductive with a nice hint of sophistication and elegance.

The show was held at the Piazza Oberdan Gucci show space with the signature Gucci beige backdrop. Brazilian model Raquel Zimmermann opened the event in a bright orange blazer, green pants and violet top paired with a python belt. There was a great number of day wear pieces such as the signature Frida pants and a relaxed drop-crotch pants offered in a variety of colors from the bold color selections to the basic black. The evening pieces were show stopping with great attention to details giving off a North African vibration. The cocktail dresses had great panache with embroidery, gold touches, eloquent leather detailing and feathers.

Admired pieces in the collection were the leather and crocodile jackets, one in particular was bomber jacket that was made in burnished crocodile. The ethnic woven finale pieces available in purple, turquoise, orange and black were greatly admired.

Referencing a legendary fashion photographer was the key component to the successful collection of Frida Giannini. She referenced an era of the 1970's when Yves St. Laurent reigned as the king of fashion and when glamour prevailed. The Gucci women is sexy with immense provocation while maintaining great sophistication. -Brent Billiman, Milan, Italy.


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Anja Rubik for Gucci S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Raquel Zimmermann for Gucci S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Joan Smalls for Gucci S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Snejana Onopka for Gucci S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Freja Beha Erichsen For Gucci S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Kasia Struss for Gucci S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Julia S. for Gucci S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Abbey Lee Kershaw for Gucci S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Sigrid Agren for Gucci S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Kasia Struss for Gucci S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Freja Beha Erichsen for Gucci S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Chanel Iman for Gucci S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Karmen Pedaru for Gucci S/S 11

Marc Jacobs S/S 2011

A celebration of 1970's glamour motivates Marc Jacobs. American designer Marc Jacobs presented a collection that was a celebration of everything that made him fall in love with fashion in the 1970's. He had numerous references such as the late legendary Yves St. Laurent, American designer Calvin Klein, illustrator Anthony Lopez and the NY dolls just to name a few. One might also think of the teenage prostitute Iris from the Martin Scorsese film, Taxi Driver. The character Iris, in the film, had the curly hair with a great selection of high waist shorts, knit tops and wide brim hats that were similar to the runway pieces. This collection was a complete flashback and homage to all that was great in the 1970's. A departure from last season's neutral colored collection this time around it was all about color. The color palette consisted of mauve, pink, deep lilac, peach, tobacco, gold, beige, plum and light orange. The collection included flouncy Rive Gauche peasant dresses, relaxed full skirts and printed shirt dresses. There was also a channeling of Missoni knitwear pieces and tailored pant suits. The Marc Jacobs look is sexy with an immense 1970's glamour

The show was held at the historic Lexington Armory with an enormous round gold cylinder centerpiece. French runway DJ Frederic Sanchez provided the soundtrack and played Vivaldi's “Summer,” from the “Four Seasons.” German model Luisa Bianchin opened the event in a orange print coat paired with plum gaucho pants. There was 1970's sexy pieces like the halter dresses, hot pants and jumpsuits with thigh high slits. A Studio 54 sensation was evident in chiffon skirts and dress that were see through. The wide brim hats and the leather pieces cinched around the hips gave a nice added touch to various pieces.

Admired pieces in the collection were the Rive Gauche peasant dresses and the sexy halter dresses. The 1970's Missoni inspired zig-zag knitwear pieces and the duchess satin tailored pants suits were also very appealing.

Marc Jacobs celebrated everything in the 1970's that made him fall in love with fashion. He created a collection with all the essential pieces perfect for a modern day Jade Jagger. Jacobs shows great innovation with this collection and gives a reason for everyone to get excited about New York Fashion Week. The Marc Jacobs women is confident with a 1970's glamorous attitude. -Brent Billiman, New York City, USA.


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Karlie Kloss for Marc Jacobs S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Luisa Bianchin for Marc Jacobs S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Kirsi Pyrhonen for Marc Jacobs S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Joan Smalls for Marc Jacobs S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Jac for Marc Jacobs S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Olga Sherer for Marc Jacobs S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Jacquelyn Jablonski for Marc Jacobs S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Hannah Holman for Marc Jacobs S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Anna Selezneva for Marc Jacobs S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Ginta Lapina for Marc Jacobs S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Frida Gustavsson for Marc Jacobs S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Pauline Van der Cruysse for Marc Jacobs S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Jamie Bochert for Marc Jacobs S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Hind Sahli for Marc Jacobs S/S 11


Luca Bruno Photo: Model Freja Beha Erichsen for Marc Jacobs S/S 11