Milan highlights

Whether is was entirely due to Anna Wintour's preferences or not, Milan fashion week occurred way too fast. We almost didn't have enough time to savour every collection the way they deserved. As it happened in London, the Italians proved that they know the direction they're going and that they haven't lost that savoire faire that first made them so popular. For the first time, I have organised the collections in order of my liking (excluding, of course, Marni and No. 21 which deserved special mention). Dolce & Gabbana pleasantly surprised me this season rooting back to their great basics and putting special emphasis in power dressing. Gucci, who in past seasons seemed unfocused, came back better than ever with an ode to Tom Ford times. While Donatella is still trying to find something that deserves having his brother's name on the tag, Christopher Kane's intervention at Versus succeeded in bringing the brand back into fashion from obsoleteness. —What's your favourite?

[Pictures: Style.com]

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what happened in Milan

Milan Fashion Week was only the first half of all the good things to come for menswear. However, it has been a very exciting few days thanks to the live streaming of the fashion shows and all the twittering going on. I am overall very pleased with what I have seen. Designers have restrained themselves and have hence found new ways to let go of their prodigality via textures and colours. My biggest joy? —Gucci and the return of the turtle neck and blazer combo. Which collection was your favourite?

[Pictures credit: GQ.com]

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My Favourite Dress

It isn't something unusual to find a list of a blogger's favourite dresses every now and again —I have done it several times. However, it is not every day that the most prominent fashion big names open up about their preferences. In 'My Favourite Dress' 150 designers and fashion personalities look back at their trajectory to pick their favourite creation ever. If that weren't enough, the forewords by Suzie Menkes (personal Goddess) and Alexandra Shulman make this new book pretty much irresistible.I had the chance to have a look at the book and I have to admit I was impressed and surprised. I never imagined that certain fashion icons would choose such simple, old or new pieces. Anyone from Mary Quant to Stephen Jones and Christian Lacroix or Hamish Bowles describe as well why they love their picks, which makes you feel somewhat nostalgic and linked to them —I specially loved Gianfranco Ferré's, Hamish's and Donna Karan's selections (none of whom I was particularly fond of before the book). Hence, I am ordering my copy as a late Christmas present! Click here to get yours (UK click here).

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"The way of the future"

Once again I couldn't help myself. Something of the like happened the last time I watched Out of Africa, the film sucks me in and I cannot stop thinking about it until I put together something like this. This time the film is The Aviator. Funnily enough both of them were movies I had seen several times before but it seems as if once never suffices. I was surprised by how contemporary and fashionable the styling looks in the film.

Howard Hughes and Katharine Hepburn mix tailoring and knitwear like pros adding round sunglasses and fedora hats as finishing touches.

Above: Jenny Jayne F/W09, DiCaprio and Blanchett in their alter ego's ensembles, and Ralph Lauren F/W09

Hepburn epitomised the boyish look. Suits and shirts à la homme far from body-con yet extremely sensual.

F/W09 - Hutson, 3.1 Phillip Lim and Dolce & Gabbana

F/W09 - Etro and Dries Van Noten

DiCaprio walks around in his leather Belstaff jacket that was made into a special edition. A look from which Hermès and Richard Chai draw inspiration for next season.

Ava Gardner could easily be a fashionable woman of today. In contrast with Hepburn's style, Gardner was more pompous and exhuberant. Striking colours and cuts mixed with big accessories.

From left: Gianfranco Ferré and Louis Vuitton

Now, these I have been trying to track down on the Internet. They are my most desired item of the season. Sadly, Proenza Schouler did not commercialize their metallic version from the runway.

From left: Michael Kors S/S09, DiCaprio wearing my desired shades, and 3.1 Philip Lim

[Picture credits: Style.com, Imdb.com]

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the Milan chapter

Men's Paris Fashion Week kicked off yesterday and new of my reviews for 212 Dressing Room will be coming up. Look out for Dior Homme sometime tomorrow and for Givenchy later on. In the meantime, have a look at Milan's highlights from my favourite shows.

There were plenty of massive knit scarves and jumpers, quite a lot of red and amazingly made suit pieces. Most designers have chosen simpler garments for this time of crisis and so clothes focus more on detail, craftsmanship and original silhouettes resulting in pieces any fashionista will name essentials for his wardrobe.

[Pictures credit: Men.Style.com]

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