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Summary
Giorgio Armani's voluptuous elegance rubbed shoulders with Bottega Veneta's timeless sophistication in their ready-to-wear offerings for next winter's woman at Milan Fashion Week. Excitement over the presence of British actor Clive Owen in the front row at Armani's show gave way to hushed appreciation of the black velvet and bright silks that coloured the collection. Both chic and comfortable, it featured puffed miniskirts and cashmere linings while putting forward saffron and other unaccustomed oriental colours. Moschino meanwhile offered a mother lode of basic blacks trimmed with gold and topped with felt cowboy hats. Black leather gloves travelled the arm to meet the level of a strapless minidress in a bold statement of confidence, second only to a 3-D box pleat mini-skirt in red or black for a lurid party evening. Max Mara set a martial tone with high-buttoned dresses and coats while also staying true to its trademark cashmere, camel hair and flannels in black, blue and grey, with gold highlights. Bottega Veneta meanwhile redefined verticality, drawing the eye swiftly from top to toe with sleeveless silk jersey dresses in black or startling solids such as bottle green, all perched atop black wedge boots or quirky booties. An asymmetric black jumpsuit in cashmere jersey had playful business at the top but was strictly no-nonsense on the way down, a hallmark of the collection.Etro proposed an eclectic collection inspired by the orient, featuring luxurious silks in variations on the kimono, as well as heavily tiered African-style necklaces. Muted gold or bronze and dusty blue proved a winning combination in many of the kimono-type creations.
