Laura Biagiotti Women’s Fashion Spring Summer 2007

Laura Biagiotti is always bright colors and simple designs. I usually like just about everything she does. This year, as many other designers, she is on a retro 70s kick. The first thing that caught my attention was the tie die prints.

The intrigue quickly passed to “Oh my goodness, what was she thinking?”

I do not write about the things I do not like so I thought Laura’s designs for this Spring and Summer would have been missing. Sometimes designers produce models that are intended to surprise. Let’s just call it the Fashion Industry’s “Shock and Awe!” After the first ten models passed the lines became cleaner, the colors more vibrant and the fabrics traditional Laura Biagiotti. Although most of these outfits will be for the young or young at heart they are worth taking a look.


The primary accessories are the heeled sandals and big 70 style glasses. Some lines are the baggy moo moo type long dresses. They bring to mind images of Woodstock, Mary Jane roaches, and really long hair.


The next series worth going over are the bright colored patterns on short skirt and form fitting jackets. I can think of many occasions where these outfits would not only be appropriate but also a lot of fun. The slacks are probably a bit more exuberant than I would like to see on Raffaella but surely they are saying, “hey, look at me!”


The final line I could see as part of the summer wardrobe are the whites. The solid white fabrics are broken with intricately embroidered patterns or free flowing ribbons and bows. Most of these could be office or casual evening attire. Perfect for a dinner or night out on the town. While not austere they do not take away from the traditional office décor.


The ladies of Milan seem to agree with me as some of these outfits are making it into the offices this spring. If you would like to see the entire line you can find it at the official website.

Tags: Women's Fashion Italian Designers Laura Biagiotti Milan href="http://technorati.com/tag/Fashion" rel="tag">Fashion Travel Italy

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Just Cavalli Woman’s Fashion Spring Summer 2007

The Just Cavalli designs of Woman’s Fashion for Spring and Summer 2007 is quite provocative. Bright colors and vibrant patterns on short shorts or flowing outfits dominate the line. The fabrics are light cottons and silk accentuating the natural curves of the feminine body. The casual vacation wear picks up some of puffy balloon hems of the late seventies and the prints remind me of the eighties scenic art. The bathing suites are definitely not my style tending toward the dominatrix straps in cotton but the cover shawls and aprons are sensual even if a bit too transparent to be worn without a bathing suit underneath. There are also some really unusual things in this line so be selective.

Just a word about the cover photograph, I find this outfit marvelous. I am not sure if you could ever wear it. If one of my readers buys this and has the personality to pull it off, please publish a picture.

The pants are definitely worth looking at. Raffaella has several pairs of the scenic designs that she purchased in years past. Still today when she sports these casually chic slacks she gets noticed. While they are not “one of a kind prints”, it will be difficult for someone else to have a similar pair. These pants also are dual purpose; they work well in very casual situations and in most casual business environments. The blouse will then take the slacks from a weekend fun to a more formal occasion.


Shorts dominate the Just Cavalli Spring and Summer 2007 line. I guess this is the pants version of the rising hemlines in the skirts. With these designs Cavalli is saying that he is seeing an economic boom. The shorts and tops remind me of the latest Daisy Duke look with a slight difference. The shorts are very structured, not cut-offs, and rather loose fitting. This will allow most women to get away with a couple of extra pounds that may linger after the winter festivities. Italian women are already stressing over the orange peel deposits on the upper legs. Remember the best why to fight the cellulite is with lots of squats. Crash diets will actually increase the problem. Try 10 minutes of squats every day, with not weight, and in a couple of weeks you will be admiring some of the most sensual legs in the city.


I love the throws. They are light and colorful. Somehow they fall in just the right way creating a sexy and fun look. I noticed that they are also rather transparent. Their purpose is to give an air of being dressed while coming away from the pool or beach. While they are truly beautiful this is probably the best way use these outfits.


A word about accessories, the bags are from the late sixties, big and soft. The shoes are the Egyptian or Roman sandals with cloth or soft leather ties, crisscrossing the ankle. Most of the shoes are wedges with about 3 inches maximum lift.

Tags: Womens Fashion Italian Designers Cavalli Spring Summer Travel Italy

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Italian Women’s Pret a Porter Fashion Spring-Summer 2007 – Salvatore Ferragamo

It is just not fair. Women’s Fashion is always more interesting than Men’s Fashion. The Spring-Summer Pret a Porter 2007 presented in Milan is no different. Just about everything presented for the Spring – Summer 2007 Women’s Pret a Porter is pretty great. Some designers have excelled. Salvatore Ferragamo, the designer who originally cut his teeth in the shoe market, has a clean elegant line, with pastel colors and a few intricate patterns. The skirts are above knee length with just a hint of a flair at the hemline. The entire line says sun, carefree days in warm climates, and comfortable movement in just about any environment. These outfits will be great for the office, a day on the sailboat, an evening with friends at the local restaurant or strolling the boardwalk on the most in beaches.

While they are fun and full of life they retain the elegance of high design and fabrics. Accessories and heels take the look to the next level. Light colors, remember the pastels, are important for both shoes and purses. White accessories for the beachwear are a perfect balance.

Polo shirts and flowing skirts start the look. Thin contrasting stripes and a tight, slightly elastic fit accentuate the upper body. The pastel colored skirts, both the form fitting tube and the pleated portafoglio, balance the tops and give a light and happy air to the look. I could also see the return of last year’s wide rimmed light colored hats.









Bare shoulders and sleeveless dresses with elaborate patterns and light fabrics are the solution for hot summer days, window shopping or perhaps sipping a Mint Julep, or cool Prosecco, in the garden with friends. A more casual look, these outfits could are most appropriate for the vacation or weekend outing however they could also be employed in a more casual work environment. The elegant fabrics and prints give an air of class but they definitely say that you are thinking about having fun and relaxing.










Ferragamo also presented a series of Baby-Doll outfits. While they may work for some there is a risk that others may think you are trying to hide something. Obviously these are marvelous for those pre and post pregnancy while working to get the figure back. The risk for these is that those who choose the Baby-Doll and are not in this category may get others thinking that you are.



I love the shorts outfits and the bathing suits. They are classy and feminine. I will never complain about a “let it all hang out bikini” but I do appreciate the seduction of shorts and one-piece bathing suits. Somehow more cloth stimulates the imagination and I love to daydream.









Finally these are my favorites. They jumped out at me. They are vibrant, feminine, sexy and fun. I see them as perfect for just about every occasion and extremely versatile. This is important for me since I carry the suitcases.









Tags: Pret a Porter Spring Summer 2007 Milan Women's Fashion Italian Fasion Ferragamo Italian Designers Travel Italy

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Italian Women’s High Fashion Spring-Summer 2007 - Giorgio Armani Prive’

Armani does it again. I am always impressed with the capability to design truly beautiful and unique clothes that can easily be adapted to everyday wear. Giorgio Armani’s Prive’ Spring-Summer 2007 line is innovative, classical, provocative, yet graceful. While a few outfits are formal only, Armani’s Prive’ collection will be found in the offices of Milan starting in the early spring. In traditional Armani, jackets are draped and crossed. The fabrics, adorned with pearls embedded in the silk and lace, create unique patterns and textures. Slacks are skintight. As with Valentino, shoulder pads are part of the mix.


Embroidered fabrics are also an important part of the line as are the foulard and turbans. The press release indicates the company’s intention to emulate the traditional oriental designs. I get more of a 1930s feel. The dominant color is a grey, from charcoal to silver, as if he were trying to create a contrast between the 30s exuberance and the neutral colors worn by the upper class ladies of the day. The base metal colors insinuate elegance. When they are combined with the flowing and gay 30s designs and the fabrics are luxurious silks and opulent laces, the resulting outfit creates emotion and interest through subliminal contrast. The fabrics flow over a woman’s body, elongating the lines, revealing the feminine curves while covering with the puritan colors.



The most versatile designs are the wraps. Traditional Armani these are open cloth skirts the close in the front with an overlay. While elegant the skirt can be matched with an existing silk blouse to accommodate most situations. The pearl adorned top steps things up a notch.


The skintight sleek pants underneath another outfit is also quite versatile. The pants give an air of playful youth. I would think they are also quite comfortable allowing movement without having to worry about showing off too much.




These are my favorites. While I think these are appropriate for both work and more formal occasions these may be a bit much in some office environments. The designs are elegant and the fabrics have luxurious designs and textures. I think any woman wearing these will feel like a million bucks.


These designs will be harder to work into an everyday routine but they are fabulous. I would lose the large trailing veil. These are soft and voluptuous, very feminine and a bit snooty but with these outfits one can afford to be a bit snooty.


Tags: High Fashion Armani Milan Women's Fashion Italian Fasion Travel Italy

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Italian Women’s High Fashion Spring-Summer 2007 – Valentino

Images of Jacqueline Kennedy seducing the world, the women of Sean Connery’s James Bond, and the grand festival at Woodstock must have been in the mind of Valentino while designing his Spring-Summer 2007 line. White and variation of white are the dominant colors interrupted occasional by cream or lavender tones. Soft fabrics and flowing forms accentuating the feminine body are the basic textures. Fluffs and frills, in different degrees, intersect with traditional embroidery and lace. Shoulder pads and square backed jackets are back, perhaps to balance the extra volume of the fluffs on the otherwise form hugging designs. This line is a reminder of the elegance of the sixty’s balance light and airy shoulders leading into pronounced splits revealing the beautiful body just enough in a “see, can’t see” illusion.


The Spring Summer 2007 Valentino line offers an interesting twist on the tube dress. The initial impression is that of a familiar line, something you could see in a James Bond movie with Sean Connery but a closer look reveals tantalizing transparent fabrics revealing silhouette images of what is lying just underneath the veil thin cloth. The ridged silk ribbons enhance the tease. While these outfits would most likely not be appropriate for business wear they would be perfect for most nights on the town including the more formal settings.










As in all things, fashion is about balance and what can accentuate a concept, when the compliment becomes the focus things can go very bad. Ladies, I do not pretend to have even a minimal understanding of the beauty and grace that Valentino creates but I do know what I like. These outfits with the mega fruffles are too much. Somehow I relate the outfits to women. A few extra pounds are exciting, accentuating the femininity of a woman’s body but when the pounds are significant, the creases and rolls dominate the overall vision and I lose interest.


I like the return of the shoulder pads on most women. They give me the impression of a strong and fit woman. I really do not know why but I prefer the wide, slightly muscular or toned shoulders rather than the weeping willow structure. The shoulder pads evidence the shoulder and the shoulder jacket brings attention immediately to the neck and face. Valentino also plays on this concept with fabrics that widen the shoulder instead of just bringing it up. I have noticed this in several designer lines this year.











The form fitting sixties styles are sexy. Valentino has taken the populous look and made it high fashion with some truly exuberant laces and silks. These are elegant, truly works of art. They will not be appropriate for anything except the formal occasion however when you walk into the room with this on you will be the center of everyone’s attention. I would not be surprised to see this on the Diva walks in Hollywood this spring.


Finally these are my favorites, they are provocative, elegant, sexy, playful, down to earth, and feminine. They can be worn by the “I am beautiful” and the “Stupendously Intelligent Geek” and will seem appropriate in both situations. Whether you are coy or an extrovert these designs will adapt to your personality and your look. Sometimes a designer creates a work of art where everything just comes together in perfect balance. They may be a bit much for the everyday work environment but wouldn’t it be fun to try?





Tags: High Fashion Spring Summer Fashion Valentino Milan Women's Fashion Italian Fasion Travel Italy

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