Dare to bare this winter with Milly’s flesh-flashing AW16 line.
Seasons Change
One would think that designer Michelle Smith missed the memo that Fall lines were walking the runway this week —there was a lot of naked skin for a collection that should be worn this time next year— but for Fall 2016 Milly wanted to reveal the woman form. Intimacy, sensuality and seduction were noted as the inspiration for the upcoming season. Smith, who launched her brand in 2000, felt that a women’s femininity becomes inactive during the winter, and she wanted to focus on honouring that with her latest lineup.
On Show
There was no shortage of bare epidermis — the opening look was a wool bralet and mini skirt with an overcoat— but Smith found ways to inject some traditional fall garments while still playing with sexuality. Bras were found layered over blush tone wool sweaters and charcoal turtlenecks, and brocade tea length gowns offered a bit more coverage than the mini and pencil skirts paired with silk organza long sleeve tops. Other spring friendly garments like off the shoulder sweaters came in Fox fur to make it more fall appropriate.
Entrepreneurial Spirit
Smith may have been on to something presenting what most would call a well engineered Spring collection and calling it Fall. I’m sure the see-now-buy-now chatter has forced designers like Michelle Smith to consider showing collections in that manner, or, at least, toy with sending a group of looks down the catwalk that challenges the idea of what should show for Spring and Fall. However, if the Milly brand continues to show collections like this ladies all over world over will be rocking Milly on any block no matter what the season is.
Words: Nigel Isaiah