Milan Fashion Week - Round 2

London is wet, windy and grey.

Milan, on the other hand, is awash with colour and the brightness that only the Spring/Summer collections can hold.

So, without any further ado, let's take a look at what the weekend brought to the stage.

Emilio Pucci

Ooh! I love, love, love this collection. It's certainly not going to win points for originality - the Seventies are everywhere - but it is a gorgeous homage to the decade. Beautiful prints and cuts combined with fantastic accessories.

Beautiful blue - the colour I wish the sky was right now.

These boots will be mine!

Dolce & Gabbana

Utterly divine and beautiful, Dolce & Gabbana opted for a much simpler look than what we've come to expect. There was lots of white, but that white was presented in some of the prettiest broderie anglaise I've seen. There was, of course, their signature leopard print (what would a Dolce collection be without it) and as the label behind the underwear-as-outerwear trend, there was plenty of sauciness to be seen.

Elegant, chic and very grown up.

Love a bit of leopard.

Not sure I have the guts to roam the streets in this, but perhaps the bedroom ;-)

Moschino Cheap & Chic

Fun, fun, fun! That was what this collection was about. The show was more like a party, with prosecco and pizza being passed around while models walked down an elevated catwalk, smiling. Yes, the models were smiling. Shock, horror!! How very refreshing. As for the clothes, well they'll bring a big, fat smile to your face too.

Fun and floaty for the summer.

Who doesn't love a cute little short suit?

Roberto Cavalli

How Mr Cavalli manages to use so much fabric, show so much skin and make it all look great at the same time, is beyond me. This collection is an utter triumph. I want it all, from the python skin trousers to the fringed boho maxi dresses. 

I am so wearing this next summer - I'm starting the sit-ups tonight!

Signature Cavalli - I hope it's worn right.

DSquared2

Dean and Dan Caten are showmen, so it came as quite a surprise when their models paraded a collection of rather preppy shorts, trousers, shirts and blazers. I don't really 'do' preppy, so it was a bit of a relief to find these more glamorous offerings thrown in to the mix.

So simple yet so effective, and thankfully done without looking slutty.

Dramarama!

Salvatore Ferragamo

Another awesome homage to the Seventies - hoorah! This time, it's very grown up (all muted tones and simple lines), has a gypsy edge (there are actual poofy off-the-shoulder crop tops) and is totally wearable. So refreshing.

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!

Bring on the crochet.

I told you Milan was pulling it out of the bag...and there's more where that came from. Promise.

Hong Kong hustle!

Miss Magpie's been traveling again (hence my recent absence)! This time I've been exploring the crazy city of Hong Kong.

 

Hong Kong is a hustling, bustling metropolis, full to the brim with shops, skyscrapers and sensory experiences. It really is the craziest city I have seen in a while. Shops cover most of the floorspace in HK - they are literally everywhere! Even I, a complete shopping fanatic, found it overwhelming.

To put it in to perspective... Even though Hong Kong has about seven Chanel boutiques, eager shoppers can still be seen queueing outside! They are just obsessed with shopping out there. Pure craziness.

Alas, with the UK pound being so weak (boo), I was unable to indulge in the same activities as these lucky spenders. However, I did manage to bag myself some very special bargains...

Purchase No.1: A McQ silk jumpsuit
OMG, I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this gem of a jumpsuit hanging in a small HK boutique...not only is it totally gorge, but at £50, what on earth was there to think about. It's the perfect day-to-night piece and with the added bonus of a figure-forgiving peplum, it's going to be a wardrobe staple for the foreseeable future methinks.

Purchase No.2: Lanvin silk dress
I am now the proud owner of Lanvin (not so proud of the silly pose though!). Ok, so it's from Spring/Summer '09 but when it costs the grand total of £50, who cares about that! I love the vibrant colour, the luxurious thick silk and the completely ladylike and elegant shape. I think I'm growing up.

Purchase No. 3: Roberto Cavalli day-dress
Clearly I was having a huge string of luck. For the equivalent of £40, I somehow found this amazing Cavalli dress. To be fair, I did trawl through the racks of numerous shops before I found this in the deepest darkest depths of Kowloon. As for the hair - Hong Kong's humidity has a lot to answer for!

I do believe that this has been my most successful shopping spree in a very, very long time!

I was also looking forward to seeing some quirky, individual style on the streets of Hong Kong. I was very disappointed. It was all very safe: Gucci kitten heels, Louis Vuitton totes and black shift dresses. Nothing inspiring.

However, I did spy this special lady:

I know what you are thinking - not your usual candidate for a street-style snap, but this granny was literally the only person to catch my eye. I love how brave she is - combining two mad prints is risky business, but I think as a more mature lady, she can totally get away with a more eccentric style!

Let me know what you think of my new purchases...