Gucci F/W 2010

Gucci displays a monochromatic collection with profuse glamour. Italian designer Frida Giannini created a collection that was completely neutral and possessed all the essential Gucci elements from the 1990’s giving a simple nod to former Gucci designer, Tom Ford. However, this collection was all about Giannini and the essential pieces that give her adoration from the Gucci customer. This collection was almost like an actual peek into her wardrobe with indispensable pieces that would be hanging in her closet. She offered the incredibly tailored Frida pants that have become vital pieces from season to season. The tailoring had immense influence from menswear and according to Giannini it was borrowed from the boyfriend’s closet. With that in mind, there were plenty of coats that were available in wool, leather and fur. The fox furs permeated luxury into the collection and corresponded with the gold hardware recognizable on the belts and bags. The Gucci look this season was about the heritage and luxury of Gucci and the subtle elegance of monochrome.

The show was held in Milan with soundtrack from Massive Attack, Portishead and Caribou Odessa. Model Freja Beha Erichsen opened the show in a cream colored dress with matching tights and heels. The monochromatic sensation manifested right through the entire collection but never entered the territory of boredom. There was the luxurious infusion leather applied to various pieces, patchwork ostrich jacket, a fox fur coat and a pair of snakeskin boots. The Giannini pants were startling and tailored to perfection narrowly cut and opened just perfectly to fit over the shoe. The pants worked great with everything like the fox fur lined vest, an a-line suede coat and the peek-a-boo cut silk blouses.

The most admired piece in the collection was the marvelous Frida pants that were tailored to perfection. The finale eveningwear that came in black and tan with Chantilly lace were razor cut in a python pattern decorated with sequins and ostrich feathers were astonishing and adored by stylist and buyers. The minx tinted fox fur jacket, a sable jacket with an interweave suede and a camel coat with knitted mink lining were extremely gorgeous.

Frida Giannini showed us that there is no need to be trendy or find the next best thing in fashion in order to be successful. All that is needed were the essential Gucci pieces that the customer loves injected with a dose of luxury. The Gucci woman may not be over the top with displaying trends or vibrant colors but she is definitely not afraid to show off her love for luxury with nice fox fur bolero and gold Gucci belt. –Brent Billiman, Milan, Italy.


Stan Honda Photo: Model Karlie Kloss for Gucci F/W 2010


Stan Honda Photo: Model Lais Ribeiro for Gucci F/W 2010


Stan Honda Photo: Model Freja Beha Erichsen for Gucci F/W 2010


Stan Honda Photo: Model Abbey Lee Kershaw for Gucci F/W 2010


Stan Honda Photo: Model Vlada Roslyakova for Gucci F/W 2010


Stan Honda Photo: Model Simona Andrejic for Gucci F/W 2010


Stan Honda Photo: Model Anja Rubik for Gucci F/W 2010


Stan Honda Photo: Model Anna Selezneva for Gucci F/W 2010


Stan Honda Photo: Model Snejana Onopka for Gucci F/W 2010

Versace F/W 2010

Versace biker girl electrifies Milan. Italian designer Donatella Versace took us in a different route with a collection that recalled the signature Versace style from the 1980’s and was infused with a rock and roll sensation. The tailoring was completely rock and roll with geometric cuts applied to dresses that came in a half-short and half-long length giving great attention to the legs. A hard rock metal sensation was perceptible on dresses with metal leather inserts and on various pieces held together by zippers. The biker impression was obvious in the leather coats and pants that had inserts of leather strips that were placed diagonal. The leather in the collection gave a subtle hint of S&M but did not over power the rock and roll consciousness. Techno fabrics of mirrored leather were visible on a few cocktail dresses had a metallic look and resembled the chrome from a bike. The cut on each piece was exceptionally important in the collection placing great attention on the neckline, legs and shoulders. The Versace look is dynamic with that signature Gianni Versace touch from the 1980’s.

The show was held in south Milan at the Teatro Versace with a custom metallic sapphire runway. Model Jac opened the show in a long color blocked wool coat paired with a black shirt and a mirrored metallic leather sapphire blue skirt and black boots. Metallic mirrored leather was ubiquitously and visible in the sexy cocktail pieces, short skirts and was applied on a few finale dresses. Leather and zippers were the vital apparatus that channeled the 1980’s Gianni Versace awareness with leather pieces inserted on the pants and skirts that were held together with zippers. The asymmetric cuts on the cocktail pieces and the jersey cut dresses came in array of colors of black, white and metallic mirrored bright colors.

An admired piece in the collection was the white paneled cocktail dress that looked incredible. Other pieces include the biker pants were denim pants inserted with diagonal leather strips. The mirrored metallic leather dresses and skirts also looked exceptionally dazzling.

Donatella Versace is a wonderful fashion leader and continues to reinvent the Versace women every season. She recalled the signature Gianni Versace style from the 1980’s and updated the look to recreate her take on a modern strong and dynamic look. The Versace woman is definitely full of life and will always remain to be sexy. –Brent Billiman, Milan, Italy.


Stan Honda Photo: Model Abbey Lee Kershaw for Versace F/W 2010


Stan Honda Photo: Model Daria Strokous for Versace F/W 2010


Stan Honda Photo: Model Jac for Versace F/W 2010


Stan Honda Photo: Model Frida Gustavsson for Versace F/W 2010


Stan Honda Photo: Model Bregje Heinen for Versace F/W 2010


Stan Honda Photo: Model Edita Vilkeviciute for Versace F/W 2010


Stan Honda Photo: Model Antonella Graef for Versace F/W 2010


Stan Honda Photo: Model Jacquelyn Jablonski for Versace F/W 2010


Stan Honda Photo: Model Yulia Kharlaponova for Versace F/W 2010


Stan Honda Photo: Model Ginta Lapina for Versace F/W 2010

Prada F/W 2010

Nothing ordinary at Prada. Miuccia Prada presented a remarkable collection this season inspired from the completely innocent, sexually repressed, 1960’s era of American fashion. With this inspiration she injected a nice dose of her innovative touch with a sexual undertone that completely revamped each look with a refreshed modern impression. Prada was tired and bored of the typical cliché sexual references and reinterpreted her own version of sexy. With that in mind, the obvious main reference point of the clothing focused on the breast. A completely different shift from previous seasons where it was focused on the shoulders, legs or waist. The construction of the dresses had an obvious sexual suggestion with the pointy built in bras, high waist dresses and the ruffles of lace that covered the bust-lines. Experimentation with various fabrics was also important and manifested in the patent leather visible in the a-line cut skirts and the 1960’s style dresses and coats. Every piece that was offered looked far from ordinary or typical giving a fashion forward perception. The Prada look is not ordinary or boring; instead it’s all about being sexy and embracing the beautiful assets in the mid regions of a woman.

The show was held at the Prada headquarters in Milan at the show warehouse that was transformed into a twisting runway with soundtrack from DJ Frederic Sanchez. Model Samantha Gradoville opened the show in a black a-line 1960’s style dress with a pointy bra and a raised waist paired with knit stockings with lace and patent leather heels. All attention was focused on the breast and to add more attention to that region was the lace ruffled dresses, pointed bra that formed on the raised waist dresses giving off an obvious sexual commotion. Knit stockings with lace also played an important role in a great number of looks and appeared comfortable and sexy. Broken checks recalled Prada signature scratchy grid prints were visible in the a-line dresses, coats, trousers and tops. Comfort was also in the air with a wide range of knit-wear seen in tweed chunky sweaters and pea coat suits.

Admired pieces in the collection were the black coat embellished with black embroidery, the patent leather a-line dress and the scratchy grid print coats. There were a great number of pieces that were greatly appreciated.

Miuccia Prada is truly innovative and with this collection she proclaims that there is no need for the cliché references to feel sexy. A new take on a refreshed look from the 1960’s is all a women needs to feel powerful, sexy and far from ordinary. The Prada woman is obviously sexy and has no shame and showing off her mid-region assets on her chest. –Brent Billiman, Milan, Italy.


Stan Honda Photo: Model Mariacarla Boscono for Prada F/W 2010


Stan Honda Photo: Model Lara Stone for Prada F/W 2010


Stan Honda Photo: Model Alessandra Ambrosio for Prada F/W 2010


Stan Honda Photo: Model Doutzen Kroes for Prada F/W 2010


Stan Honda Photo: Model Patricia van der Vliet for Prada F/W 2010


Stan Honda Photo: Model Sophie Srej for Prada F/W 2010


Stan Honda Photo: Model Miranda Kerr for Prada F/W 2010


Stan Honda Photo: Model Rasa Zukauskaite for Prada F/W 2010


Stan Honda Photo: Model Ilvie Wittek for Prada F/W 2010


Stan Honda Photo: Model Kirsi Pyrhonen for Prada F/W 2010