Milan Fashion Week: All things bright and beautiful...
Designers mark next season's change with clean lines and dazzling colour
Clean lines and block colour. That's how the spring/summer collections from Jil Sander and MaxMara propose that we move on from the neutral hues and minimal tailoring that have struck such a chord this season. It's a convincing progression; after all, camel trousers won't seem so right when the sun comes out, and no matter how timeless "real clothes" are, beautiful alternatives will always make us crave something new.
The Jil Sander collection, designed by Raf Simons, was especially beautiful, featuring simple shapes and lines that offered the perfect canvas for shocking pink, purple, magenta, coral red, electric blue, grass green, yellow and orange. Dresses came as loose shifts and in a flared triangular shape which seems to be a burgeoning trend.
Earlier in the day MaxMara offered a collection billed as "minimal tailoring, new purism, athletic chic". First, the focus was on pale beige shades and white. Outfits included a funnel-neck trench and split-leg palazzo pants. Then the colour kicked in with cropped fitted flares, silk duster coats and suits in red, tangerine, buttercup, lemon and violet. A black-and-white striped shift confirmed the stripey trend that emerged at Versace and Prada.
Given that Giorgio Armani billed his spring/summer Emporio Armani collection as "Fancy Girl", it was never going to be minimal. Instead, the designer showed off layering and contrasting lengths. Leggings and fitted skirts in stretch tulle were worn under silk dresses, and the palette included icy blues and greys as well as sandy beige with flashes of red.
Life & Style blogs
-
Charlie Charlie Challenge: everyone on the internet thinks it’s a marketing stunt, but it probably isn’t
-
Not brushing your teeth can lead to dementia and heart disease
-
Yves Saint Laurent ad banned for featuring 'unhealthily underweight' model
-
Insomnia could be cured with one simple therapy session, new study claims
-
What do the emojis on Snapchat mean?
- 1 Amber Peat: Body found in search for missing 13-year-old who left house after argument with her parents
- 2 California man brutally beat 82-year-old Sikh grandfather he mistook for 'one of those people'
- 3 School kitchen manager 'fired from Colorado school for giving hungry students free lunches'
- 4 Amy Schumer: 'I'm 160lbs and can catch a d**k any time I want'
- 5 Isis executes three gay men by dangling them from top of 100ft building and letting go
Discover Oman with Kate Humble
Storytelling is an integral part of Omani life and TV presenter Kate Humble tells her tale of how she discovered Oman.
London Restaurant Awards: vote for the chance to win meal for two
Six restaurants are shortlisted for the award of Best New London Restaurant 2015 - help us select the winner!
Take a two-wheel tour of some of London's famous sporting venues
There's never been a better time to hop on your bike and take a tour of the capital. Learn more...
Win a First Great Western Rail Pass for a year
First Great Western are giving you the chance to explore some of England’s most picturesque landscapes with a year long rail pass. Enter now...
Seventies styling - how to get the look
We show you how to follow in the footsteps of Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Beyonce with the Seventies revival.
Find smoke – find fire
David Carter ditched a fine dining career to follow his passion – BBQ. He’s done it in style with street feast concept Smokestak. Read more...
The 20 best films to watch on Netflix right now
What did you have planned tonight again? These are the 20 best films currently available to stream on Netflix (UK). You're welcome.
Turkey's economic centre continues to shine
Win a 3 night trip to Istanbul thanks to Hilton Garden Inn
Let the games begin
The multi-million pound industry that beat the recession
Discover the next generation adult toy
Be a part of the sexual revolution and help fund the next generation adult toy that has got people talking. Read more...
The Granite City that's made of stronger stuff
Win a 3 night trip to Aberdeen thanks to Hilton Garden Inn
The Big Six Guesthouses in Tobago
Find the best guesthouse for you; whether romantic honeymoon or family getaway, read our guide to Tobago's guesthouses.
Economic impact of sporting events
Major sporting events naturally make a big impression on the lives – and pulse-rates – of fans.
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Independent Dating
iJobs Fashion
Recruitment Genius: 3rd Line Virtualisation, Windows & Server Engineer
£40000 - £47000 per annum: Recruitment Genius: A 3rd Line Virtualisation / Sto...
Recruitment Genius: Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Service Engineer
£26000 - £35000 per annum: Recruitment Genius: A successful national service f...
Recruitment Genius: Business Development Executive / Sales - OTE £25,000
£15000 - £25000 per annum: Recruitment Genius: This is an opportunity to join ...
Recruitment Genius: Sales Administrator - Fixed Term Contract
£17500 - £20000 per annum: Recruitment Genius: We currently require an experie...