Final Days of Milan Spring 2014 Shows

A review of Giorgio Armani, Salvatore Ferragamo, Missoni, and Dolce and Gabbana Spring 2014 collections.

Are Menswear Designers Competing Against Zara?

Dolce and Gabbana Men's Spring 2014 Greece Influence

Let The Skirt Do The Talking

This Dolce & Gabbana crystal-embellished mini skirt can do all the talking you want it create. More than gossip, it speaks money.

Many of us are often out there on the hunt for the best deals in fashion, whether it be online or in stores. Some people can get desperate and rather purchase it at full retail price with the fear of not being able to get what they wanted in the future. The question is how much are we willing to wait to be the first to catch that amazing item we know we could have waited for a little bit more? 

I have always been a believer that what's meant to be yours will wait for your all season (or year) long no matter what. If those shoes you were dying to get were gone, chances are they weren't meant for you. Sorry, maybe you'll have luck with something else next time. 

Getting a real luxury designer item is like the stock market - you've got to choose right and risk it to look good. When I describe real luxury I am not referring to a $4,000 Gucci dress, but to those average types of garments (not dresses) that can be worth about half of your college tuition - for example, the original retail price of the $13,760 Dolce & Gabbana mini skirt above. It can be shocking just how much the value of a skirt can rise. I often ask myself, I know details are what drives the value of something so high, but are their really people out there who would do anything to purchase such a beautiful skirt which we know you'd probably wear it only once? Maybe the answer is yes, the richest people who don't have a problem with this type of prices.

Most retail have mega sales each season to stock up their next season orders. I had already seen the price of this particular skirt before, but when I came across the online retailer The Outnet, who offer great savings, I came across the skirt again. And guess what, it was on sale for 75% off. Even though the percent was cut off quite high, its price - $3,440 - could seem like a mega deal, or not, to those who like to collect treasures as I always like to say. 

One thing I would like to point out is that this specific skirt comes from Dolce & Gabbana's Spring 2012 collection. I was left with the curiosity to know how long had this item been online that it was drop severely in my opinion? Who would've thought you could steal get a deal after a year old collection? 

There was also recently this buzz going around about Dolce & Gabbana selling one of it's Fall 2013 collection dresses at $49,000. It had been stated they would sell six of them to the online luxury retailer Net-a-Porter, who are very confident all of dresses will sell out, meaning that hopefully there won't be any sale as the iconic skirt. We'll have to wait and see if confidence beats the price. 

Oh, and if your planning to get the skirt, don't overdress it, just let the skirt do the talking. You know it will. 

Would you purchase the skirt at it's sale price knowing what the price of the skirt was originally?

A Religious Fashion Devotion at Dolce & Gabbana's Fall 2013 Presentation

Stefano Gabbana (left) and Domenico Dolce (right) at their Fall 2013 Menswear presentation.

Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana’s theme for its new fall/winter 2013 menswear collection was “devotion,” a word that couldn’t be any perfect to describe the craftsmanship these two men dedicate hours into, designing a collection that always leaves me eager for next season to arrive. Their Sicilian inspirations were no longer available here (not that I wasn't fond of), but perhaps they felt it was time to take a slightly different route; religion became the new trend setter and our new devotion. The setting – mounted with crystal chandeliers and decoration of flowers – marked a new purified atmosphere.

Professional models were left out of this runway, and replaced once again by average men of different heights and shapes that made tailoring be much more appreciated. Dolce & Gabbana knew perfectly well how to attract the non-model guys who seek to feel confident and trendy; not everyone is tall and slim. They provided several options that molded the realistic man we’d find out in the streets somewhere. I felt more connected towards this presentations than from the other shows. It was nice to see how I probably could rock an outfit very well even if I'm not as tall and lean as a model.

Shirts, crisp white with delicate embroideries, reminded me of Sunday morning church attires I would be willing to assist each week if given. Other tops printed in religion icons, to a yellow number embroidered luxuriously in gems, added a new statement to the well endorsed Dolce tee. Pants were tapered and felt comfortable enough to wear; not too tight, not too slouchy. Overcoats were kept classical and modern (mostly black), to their standards.

The real magic was captured with one of the most beautifully made floral print suits of the season. Flowers could be a topic of major concern for men, but the designers managed to pull off a well convincing, breathtaking artwork. Suits made out of handmade needlepoint floral designs added the perfect masculine and alluring touch. Other suits, such as a white laced piece, had enough to shut the envious guys who know they’d secretly want one. And their velvet lined shoes were definitely a plus. 

The final rain of models walking down the catwalk, wore Domenico’s and Stefano’s love to their catholic roots. The end deserved a well respected applause that commended us to pray for these talented designers to keep doing what they’re best at……..designing for the modern gentleman.

Print Inspirations

A print top can become your inspiration to complete your full look. This silk top was taken as a motivation to fulfill a tropical ambiance.

1. Michael Van Der Ham print top - available at net-a-porter.com
2. T by Alexander Wang pleated skirt - available at ssense.com
3. Maison Martin Margiela leather belt - available at net-a-porter.com
4. Dannijo earrings - availabe at ssense.com 
5. Yves Saint Laurent pumps - available at mytheresa.com
6. Dolce & Gabbana clutch - available at mytheresa.com
7. J.Crew necklace - available at net-a-porter.com

Dolce and Gabbana's Sicily Tour - Dolce and Gabbana Spring 2013

A detailed Dolce & Gabbana print dress depicting the history of theater.

Dolce & Gabbana has proven to be not just a brand, but a heritage to the Italian culture. Its rich gold embroidered dresses from last season were a prominent collection that gave through another chapter in its Sicily theme for spring. The collection was as usual….fresh, young, and full of happiness.