Milan: Women's A/W Fashion shows 09/10

Libreria di Via della Spiga at Gio Moretti. Inside the Gio Moretti boutique, in the basement, is located the Libreria di Via della Spiga. Together with the bookstore in the Emporio Armani store on Via Manzoni and the Milano Libri bookshop on Via Verdi, the Libreria Di Via Della Spiga stocks the most beautiful coffee table and picture books. Adriana Strasiotto with her excellent eye and knowledge chooses the very best books and magazines from all over the world, about fashion, art, architecture and design, gardens, fads and other trendy subjects.

Libreria di Via della Spiga at Gio Moretti – a detail. A detail of one of the tables laden with the most beautiful, heavenly coffee table books.

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Milan: Women's A/W Fashion shows 09/10

Palazzo Visconti: Mailiparmi presentation. Maliparmi’s Annalisa Paresi poses with two mannequins in the first room of the stunning presentation of Maliparmi’s Autumn/Winter 2009/2010 collection. For three seasons Palazzo Visconti has provided a setting for Maliparmi’s ideas, collections, clothes and colors. Every room is a transformation expressed through different symbols, light and music. But there is more – like a museum, in every space the metamorphosis is explained through a description.

Maliparmi – a detail. A detail of the colorful prints of the suits, scarves, bags and gloves, and how they are all mixed together.

Maliparmi – a detail. A detail of the final room, a banqueting hall, an image of the metamorphosis of food. On the one hand is the dream, what might have been offered to the guests of Palazzo Visconti at the height of its splendor, on the other, is the food of today: modern and minimal. Next to each other, on a single, heavily-laden table, an immediate narrative.

Seen at the Maliparmi presentation. Roda art director and stylist, Uberta Zambelletti and interior designer and dealer, Claudio Loria.

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Milan: Women's A/W Fashion shows 09/10

Nilufar: Louisa Maisel. The Nilufar gallery on the trendy fashion street of Via della Spiga specializes in rare international 20th century lighting, furniture, carpets and with a selection of high-end contemporary art and design. For Milan Fashion week, in the window a enameled ceramic sculpture, by American artist, Louisa Maisel, entitled, Exile-If I was forced to leave my home what would I bring with me? From the “Stacking and Piling” collection, 2004.

A detail. A detail of Louisa Maisel one of a kind sculpture entitled, Exile-If I was forced to leave my home what would I bring with me?

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Milan: Women's A/W Fashion shows 09/10

Seen on Via della Spiga. American Vanity Fair's Michael Roberts:

Cap: Lock
Jacket: Gap
Jeans: Levi's
Scarf: Fendi

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Milan: Women's A/W Fashion shows 09/10

I.M. Pei building near Garibaldi railway station. For the Expo 2015, which will be hosted in Milan, buildings are going up all over town. This wavy curved glass skyscraper designed by renowned American architect, I.M. Pei is situated near the Garibaldi railway station and Piazza della Repubblica it will be the new seat of the Lombardy Region offices. Other architects participating in changing the skyline of Milan are; Renzo Piano, Sir Norman Foster, Daniel Libeskind and Zaha Hadid, just to name a few.

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Milan: Women's A/W Fashion shows 09/10

Backstage at the Gianfranco Ferre Autumn/Winter 2009/2010 Collection. There was much request for interviews of the Gianfranco Ferre designers, Aquilano and Rimondi now in their second season for the house.

Gianfranco Ferre. Experimental approach of materials mixes of volumes and geometric digressions play back and forth with modern takes on fluidity. For next winter the Gianfranco Ferre collection exalts the classic couture luxury fabrics, cuts and applications.


Gianfranco Ferre. Ever shaper and cleaner, the silhouette combines different shapes, defining clothes that become uniforms of three-dimensional elegance, an attitude increasingly confident and genuinely global.

Gianfranco Ferre – the shoes. The height of interplay between shape, hue and material is emphasized in the new accessories.


Gianfranco Ferre - a detail. The platform shoes with contrast base feature heels in pyramidal wood and Murano glass with acanthus leaf ornamentation.

Gianfranco Ferre – the make-up. A close-up of the make-up shows strong eyebrows, kohl misty eyes and natural lips.




Gianfranco Ferre – a detail. A detail of the hairstyle from behind. The coat is made with cashmere and alpaca bouclé for a shiny/mat moiré result.




Seen at Gianfranco Ferre. Anna Wintour and Franca Sozzani enjoy a tete a tete.

Seen at Gianfranco Ferre. X Factor, Simona Ventura, had just enough time to change in between shows, from Armani pink (see below) to a Ferre black and red suit.

Seen at Gianfranco Ferre. Alberto and Charlie Ferre.

Seen at Gianfranco Ferre. Fabien Baron.


Seen at Gianfranco Ferre. Max Mara’s Giorgio Guidotti:

Custom made suit: Antimi

Shirt: Charvet

Tie: Bruno Ragazzi

Handkerchief: Barneys

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Milan: Women's A/W Fashion shows 09/10

Urban Florist. On Thurdays, Fridays and Saturdays, Salvatore parks his Ape Piaggio pick up on the corner of Via Pontaccio and Corso Garibaldi. The Urban florist sells the freshest flowers. I like his assortments; freesias, tulips, daffodils, iris, roses, they are my kind of flowers.

A Detail. On top of the Ape Piaggio pick up, Salvatore keeps vases of plain and parrot tulips.

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Milan: Women's A/W Fashion shows 09/10

Giorgio Armani. This is the classic Giorgio Armani pose after the runway shows. It tells it all.

Giorgio Armani. The evening gowns are always glamorous and as you can see very red carpet.

Giorgio Armani – a detail. I loved these sequined boots Armani showed with long evening gowns.

Giorgio Armani – the front row. For the first time there were no international stars. Amongst those in the front row: X Factor’s, Simona Ventura, songwriter and composer, Mario Lavezzi, model, Eva Riccobono, actress, Anna Kanakis, pop star, Alexia, karate world champion, Stefano Maniscalco and sports anchor, Ilaria d’Amico.

Contessanally tip: Click on the photo to enlarge it.

Seen at the Giorgio Armani show. Milan intelligentsia, Rosellina Archinto talks to singer, Dori Ghezzi.

Seen at the Giorgio Armani show. Neo-gallerist, Nicolo Cardi who’s opening of his new contemporary art gallery Cardi Black Box was a great social and cultural success, gives a thumbs up.

Seen at the Giorgio Armani show. Style.com’s Jim Blanks is getting ready to record another video for Vogue America’s great website.

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Milan: Women's A/W Fashion shows 09/10

Hogan: When L.L. Bean meets Hogan or rather when the outdoor spirit meets urban attitude. That sums up the Hogan’s women’s autumn/winter collection, which was presented in their showroom. A fresh makeover for the iconic Hogan, experimenting new proportions: a full volume plateau injects a feminine yet forceful look whilst keeping true to the DNA of the celebrated style: attractive.

Seen at the Hogan presentation: London’s Evening Standard style director, Gianluca Longo:

Jacket: Gucci
Cardigan and scarf: Marni
Shirt: Principe Firenze
Eyeglasses: YSL

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Milan: Women's A/W Fashion shows 09/10

Seen at Angela Missoni's Surprise Birthday Party. A detail of the birthday cake. The evening of the fashion show the Missoni’s threw a belated surprise birthday party to celebrate the house designer, Angela Missoni’s fiftieth birthday. It was held in the Visionaire theatre converted for the evening in a disco where on the walls a slide show of Angela’s personal photos played all night. The photos where chosen and edited by Angela’s handsome boyfriend, Bruno Ragazzi.

Seen at Angela Missoni's Surprise Birthday Party. Photographer, Mario Testino, birthday girl, Angela Missoni, opera director and set designer, Patrick Kinmonth and Allegra Beck Versace.

Seen at Angela Missoni's Surprise Birthday Party. The beautiful, Margherita Maccapani Missoni chats with Geronimo La Russa and Fabio Brusa.

Seen at Angela Missoni's Surprise Birthday Party. Teresa Maccapani Missoni smiles with her mother’s P.A. Ilaria Buschetti.

Seen at Angela Missoni's Surprise Birthday Party. Artist, Ali Kazma celebrates with art critic, Michela Moro.

Seen at Angela Missoni's Surprise Birthday Party. Suzy Menkes and Allegra Beck Versace.


A detail. A detail of Allegra’s bracelets, which she makes with Margherita Missoni.

Seen at Angela Missoni's Surprise Birthday Party. The party was held in the Visionaire Design Gallery and theatre. Samuele Mazza is Visionaire’s creative director and chief designer.

Seen at Angela Missoni's Surprise Birthday Party. Luca and Judy Missoni.

Seen at Angela Missoni's Surprise Birthday Party. Stefano Tonchi and J.J. Martin. Don’t miss J.J.’s story in The New York Times, called, Milan Fashion Week – The Caffeine Guide.

Seen at Angela Missoni's Surprise Birthday Party. Stefano Tonchi and J.J. Martin “Twitter”.



Seen at Angela Missoni's Surprise Birthday Party. Rosita Missoni and her nephew, Angelo Jelmini.



A detail. A close-up of the Cassata di Sicilia ice cream.

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Milan: Women's A/W Fashion shows 09/10

Prada - Via Montenapoleone store: The Iconoclasts. The window of the Prada store styled by Olivier Rizzo. This was the third stage of The Iconoclasts project, where four iconic fashion editors remix merchandise in Prada stores. Previously, the New York and London stores were dressed by Alex White and Katie Grand. Next and last stop Paris, where it will be Carine Roitfeld turn. The project is a chance to highlight creative level.



Prada - Via Montenapoleone store: The Iconoclasts. At the opening party, Wallpaper’s Nick Vinson was interviewing stylist, Olivier Rizzo. Wallpaper magazine has covered each step in The Iconoclasts projects. .

A detail: Prada - Via Montenapoleone store: The Iconoclasts. Olivier Rizzo’s lucky charms hang on a gold chain around his neck.

Seen at the Prada - Via Montenapoleone store: The Iconoclasts. Italian comedienne, Lella Costa, wearing Antonio Marras.

Prada - Via Montenapoleone store: The Iconoclasts. A still life interpretated by Olivier Rizzo mixes new and historical pieces.

Note: The famous and rare tulip print in the foreground.

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