Fashion Month Quick Recap: I'm More Minimal Basic Than I Thought

It's funny. In season's past I gravitate towards the bold prints of Kenzo or the avante garde of Comme des Garcons. This time around I was all about the tailoring, layering, and the luxurious staples to add to a women's wardrobe for season's to come rather than the here-today-gone-tomorrow pieces. And if this winter has taught me anything, it's that its too long and I'm not dressed warm enough half the time. So designers embracing the practicality of fashion and offering us oversized sweaters, long jackets, and layered looks excites the hell out of me! Here were some of my favorite collections from all four cities.

Balengiaca

Chloe

Max Mara

Jil Sander

Isabel Marant

Damir Doma

Sacai

Proenza Schouler

Issa

Salvatore Ferragamo 

Kenzo

Singing The Blues

Aquilano.Rimondi, Fendi, Jil Sander, Sportmax, Ter Et Bantine

Yes, it's true - fall/winter collections don't resonate bright colors, but never the less jewel tones and other colorful hues do appear in F/W collections. However this year, Milan's collections were much darker, both in color and mood, than in previous seasons.

It may be that it's the dead of winter and sunlight and warmth seem too distant to envision or Italy's economic hardship has transgressed into the luxury fashion industry, but Milan Fashion Week was full of serious masculine looks in dark and ominous colors.

A Sweet Farewell

Raf Simon, creative director of Jil Sander, showed his final collection at MFW for the Jil Sander house that captured nuanced elegance. From the subtle colors to the minimalist make up, the collection complimented the natural beauty of a woman.  Said to have been influenced by the family, Simon hoped to show a collection for a wife who effortless gets out of bed and throws on a coat to drive her children to school.

This gives me hope that I will never be a soccer mom.

Chiao, Jaf Simon! See you at your next design house!