Oh Milano, I love you. One of my favorite cities with its dapper street styles and charming dates (truth) and impeccable nightlife, I was thrilled to be part of Milan Men’s Fashion Week (MMFW, or is it MFW) again. Three of my favorite shows were from top notch designers, which is a predicament of sorts as I usually go for the modern, newbie and bespoke types.

Dolce & Gabanna

Dolce & Gabanna, judging from their 5th Ave storefront, has gone in the bling and opulent and over-the-top direction off late, focusing on tech and millennials by having runway models and influencers alike sporting vibrant colors and loud patterns. The array of clothing was mind boggling, focusing heavily on leopard print (YES!), shiny and sparkly gold (double YES!) and motifs and patterns that symbolized chaos and opulence. Titled Kings of Dolce Gabanna or DG Millennials, I liked the suits best as they spoke to a modern grungy formal look. The mix of casual, bomber jackets in bright colors and juxtaposed prints of playing cards, kings, lions and other animals… all of which were in sharp contrast to the silk suits that I could lick up into my wardrobe.

Giorgio Armani

With an airplane on the runway, Giorgio Armani focused on clean and worldly looks, with whites and grays and blacks tuned together in classically dapper and Italian clothing. There were trenchcoats in grey and white, pea cots in navy and black, button down jackets, blazers, and overall monochrome clothing that brought back a futuristic look to the classic brand. Despite having a hint of a pilot attire vibe, the pieces were fairly universally fashionable, rather plain (or plane?) with bags, accessories, straight cut pants and clean cut jackets taking the scene.

Diesel Black Gold

With a name like Diesel Black Gold, I was surprised and the lack of black (to my joy, as I find it to be the scarce color in my wardrobe) and lack of gold (to my dismay as it is in my top two favorite colors). The 90s made a comeback with a grungy and skater vibe with blues and blacks, with plaid shirts, leggings, tank tops, oversized jackets, denim and boots all racing through the runway. Almost utilitarian in their presentation, the Diesel brand seemed to cater towards its forte of youth with voluminous shirts, tailored (and collarless) jackets, and an overall techno-grunge feel. Exaggerated sizing after all, seemed to be the mainstay of the season.

Thrilled to have been a part of Milan Fashion Week again. But then again as they say, Fortuna i forti aiuta, e i timidi rifiuta. Fortune favors the bold.

Images courtesy of PR from respective designers.