Milan Fashion Week 2.0
· Updated: · 4 min read
DIGITAL PATHWAYS FOR FASHION FANS
Every year, buyers, photographers, influencers and fashion fans gather for Milan Fashion Week to view the trends for the coming season whilst sitting on uncomfortable seats and jostling in a huge crowd. But in 2020, everything will be different: due to the coronavirus crisis, the world-famous event is relying on livestreams instead of a live audience. Inspired by the fashion shows in Helsinki and Shanghai, the models will be presenting the new must-have pieces for men entirely online from 14 to 17 July.
A new challenge
People make fashion. But at the moment, this fashion has to do without an audience – a challenge that the organisers of Milan Fashion Week are bravely taking on in these pandemic times. They want to test the fashion industry’s adaptability with a new, digital concept. The advantage: whilst the number of guests is normally strictly regulated, anyone interested in fashion can now join in via livestream in real time.
If he can find the time, master barber Anthony will also tune in to Milano Moda Uomo to catch the highlights from the northern Italian metropolis. He expects the “trend to move away from super-tight skinny jeans and rolled-up trousers; we won’t be seeing those so often soon.” New looks are also taking centre stage for hairstyles and shaves: “Surprisingly, people are wearing their hair longer again post-Covid, whilst beards are being trimmed much shorter than before.” What else we can expect on the catwalks:
“Classic Blue” is the colour of the moment
When it comes to colours, the “Pantone Color Institute” is the key authority. Every year, they award the title “Colour of the Year”. In this memorable year, it is the cool and fresh “Classic Blue” that shines from the pages of glossy magazines and is likely to shape our look throughout autumn and winter. The good news: the colour is suitable for almost any occasion, whether as an all-over look or for creative accents. The classic blue suit should therefore be a staple in every fashion-conscious man’s wardrobe.
Leather is the way to go
Anyone who invested in a high-quality leather jacket early on will get their money’s worth this season too. Those who dare can really go for it and mix and match different leather garments – true to the motto: “More is more”. Style the leather jacket with similar fabrics or, for a particularly fashion-forward look, with colour-coordinated leather trousers, as seen at Acne Studios.
Shearling is also an indispensable feature of most collections and Milan Fashion Week. The outer material made from lamb or sheepskin is being interpreted in more versatile ways than ever before. Dior showcases sporty short coats, Dsquared2 opts for the vintage look, and Prada presents shearling on duffle coats made from shiny smooth leather.
Fabric for the fashion-loving heart
Silk and corduroy – two fabrics that couldn’t be more different in texture, yet together they dominate the catwalks. Shiny, loose-fitting silk shirts are worn with simple trousers so as not to steal the show from these eye-catchers. Corduroy, on the other hand, is used more subtly, as it can quickly look old-fashioned. It’s best worn with flowing fabrics and loose-fitting looks – casual is the name of the game here. Prada, Dolce & Gabbana and MSGM show how the look works.
Bold patterns
Classic patterns are back – windowpane checks, Vichy and tartan are making a comeback. Designers can’t get enough of these playful looks – and neither can we. They’re wonderfully easy to combine with plain garments and make for real eye-catchers. When it comes to styling, the possibilities are endless: Emporio Armani focuses primarily on tops, whilst Gucci opts for suits and Dries van Noten for coats. So you’re spoilt for choice when deciding which must-have piece to go for.
It’s all about the fit
Oversized is also the talk of the town at Milan Fashion Week: oversized jumpers are here to stay and are accompanied by chunky knits. Not exactly the most suitable autumn outfits for the office, but for leisure time, a looser fit is perfectly fine. Better suited for work is the new, fashionable fit of the suits. At the hips, the jackets are looser or tend to be slightly longer. The labels Ermenegildo Zegna and Jacquemus demonstrate this skilfully. The perennial favourite ‘Utility’, functional clothing with boxy shapes and large pockets, also remains right at the front of the wardrobe. Fishermen’s hats and oversized body bags round off the loose-fitting style.
One thing is clear: fashion is what you make of it – and whether online or on the catwalks, it once again leaves plenty of scope for inspiration and interpretation. Looking for more fashion highlights? Here you’ll find our guide to trendy hats and caps.
