PapierblogDigital.Fashion

It seems as though Gucci and Versace traded places for the 2006 Milan Fall Fashion Week. Both presented collections based on the central guiding principle of glam, but with strikingly different results.

Gucci’s glam was like a bad trip to the kitschiest, most overdone parts of the disco scene of the 1970s. The colors scheme was loud and the forms of the clothing were loose and exaggerated. There has been a lot of buzz that Gucci is trying to reclaim its hold on sex appeal: but these designs seemed tailored for a woman desperate for attention, not one who commands it. What is most disappointing is that Gucci did not reinterpret the era in any significant way.

Meanwhile, Versace epitomized true modern glam with its (comparative) restraint. The icy monochrome color palette subdued the day and eveningwear while also providing glamorous elegance. The intricate construction of folds and pleats provided such depth to the clothing that further glitter and glitz were unnecessary.

The daywear featured plush military-style coats and furs. The dominant colors were shades of blue, slate, black and grey.

The short dresses are versatile as either day or eveningwear. They shared a similar eye-line focused at the waist, with the details of the garments emanating from this central place.

The evening dresses literally fluttered across the floor as the models walked the runway, with slits strategically placed to give the dresses movement and grace. While the silhouettes seem simple, each dress has its own complex composition that, coupled with the striking colors, creates a distinctive form. In the age where casual-cool dominates the fashion landscape, the ability to create eveningwear that is understated and effortless, but also distinctly glamorous and luxurious, capturing the essence of modern European fashion.

-Ali