Alberta Ferretti opens Milan Fashion Week Men's with a fête of fringe and sequins

By

Dominique Muret

Published
Jun 15, 2018

It was at the Royal Palace, next to Milan's famous cathedral, the Duomo, that Alberta Ferretti chose to kick off Milan Fashion Week Men's on Friday evening, with a vibrant, sexy runway. As guests arrived, they were greeted by a battalion of Alitalia stewards and stewardesses who flanked the imposing staircase leading to the prestigious Sala Delle Cariatidi in their impeccable navy blue uniforms. 

The Italian airline could not have chosen a better setting to unveil their flight crew's new Alberta Ferretti-designed uniforms. In the middle of the runway presentation, the designer, who founded the house as well as the Aeffe fashion group with her brother Masimo, even slipped in a few white t-shirts and black sweaters featuring Alitalia's green and red logo, pieces that went on sale the day after the show. 

Above all, however, the runway was the occasion chosen to present the new collection from the brand's semi-couture Limited Edition line, which was launched in 2011 and focuses on evening gowns and cocktail dresses. Starting with a selection of monochrome looks in either black or white, the designer quickly catapulted her palette into more colourful territory with bright reds, oranges and pinks that shimmered with sequins, rhinestones, feathers and metallic fringe. 

The whole collection felt like an invitation to go dancing, plunging the audience into the heady nights of the disco era. The elegant tuxedos and long, slinky, white sheath dresses that opened the runway quickly gave way to decidedly more energetic looks with overlapping layers of swaying fringes of different lengths. Glittering jumpsuits that channelled a 70s vibe and played with teasing transparencies rounded out the collection.

In the first part of the show, Alberta Ferretti sent out her ethnically inspired Cruise 2019 collection. Wearing suede ankle boots that put one in mind of Amerindian footwear, models sported pieces that, once again, featured a multitude of fringes, which popped up on dresses, bags, leather jackets and even on a cut-out black bodice. Dresses were printed with abstract motifs in a rusty palette, while khaki jumpsuits were cinched at the waist by belts composed of metallic discs. 

Some models were accompanied by young girls wearing summer dresses inspired by the collection. These were the first looks from the new Alberta Ferretti Junior line, the latest initiative from the Italian house, developed through a licence with Manifatture Daddato.