Tonight I worked at an event for my internship – 2e Bureau in Paris – which was an art exhibition opening for artist/architect Andrea Branzi.

I was working at the welcoming desk, checking people in. And as the party came to an end I could spot a shiny black car outside. The driver stepped out of the car to open the door for an older couple. I asked anyone if they knew who they were but no one did. So when the woman came to check in, I asked for her name and she had a very strong Italian accent, so I asked her to repeat it again while I searched the list for something with a “Pr”.

All of the sudden I got a tap on the shoulder from my colleague saying “They’re good!” So I let them in immediately. After they passed through, I asked who they were and my colleague told me she was Miuccia Prada. I felt both intense excitement from having met such an amazing fashion icon and also embarrassment at not having known who she was!

I wish I paid more attention to what she was wearing. Lesson learned – know what designers look like! You never know when you will bump into them. Especially in Paris!

shot by Arthur Elgort for TeenVOGUE Sept 2006

While helping fashion director Lauren Goodman, employer, and dear friend with a trend report, I realized something that most fashion girls realize at some point in their awakening.  I should have been born in another time.  This feeling has creeping up on before at certain other points in my life.  While watching opera at La Scala in Milan, wandering the streets of Vienna w/ Katie, and especially in the Schonbrunn Palace, every time I look at a fashion editorial of St. Petersburg and now while reading Anna Karenina.  

I should have been born in another time!  

Beyonce is not my style icon.  Actually it’s empress Catherine the Great.  I’d rather be a Czarina than a pop star.  Elizabeth is pretty great too.  All these places have the insanely ornate baroque theme in common.  I love baroque, I love curly qs and brocades and lush velvets and jacquards.  Voluminous shapes!  When Amanda asked me if I’d marry Pierre if only to have my wedding at Versailles… it was a legitimate question.  

This all being said, I was having an impossible time this benefit holiday season finding things to wear.  If only I worked for D & G.  Stefano and Domenico seem to have a privy into my imagination.  For years now, most editorials I see that I point out, “I need that,” it turns out to be D&G — in a few cases Miu Miu… go Miuccia!  This Fall 2009 was no exception.  I wish I could drape myself in Dolce & Gabbana and I’d be set for life.  

D&G F09 Look 1 (Style.com)

This Thursday, I had my Ballet Hispanico benefit coming up and could think of nothing to wear.  While shopping for fabric for Aliomi lining, store after store I saw awe-inspiring collections of brocades, especially in Elegant Fabrics.  My mother was with me, and all of a sudden she got inspired.  Quite the seamstress in her day, she offered to make something to wear for Ballet Hispanico.  Immediately I told her, I want D & G.  I want TeenVOGUE’s  Arthur Elgort St. Petersburg shoot, “russian dressing” Sept 2006 (who’s amazing daughter and dear friend from middle school, Sophie is doing the photography and publicity for Aliomi– she is a force).   

shot by Arthur Elgort for TeenVOGUE Sept 2006

While flipping through Dec/January 2009 looking for a Canon/ TeenVOGUE advertorial that I assisted Lauren Goodman in styling, I saw Dakota Fanning’s interview and there she was with some fabulous D & G skirts on.   

photo by Norman Jean Roy for TeenVOGUE Dec/Jan 2010

I wish I dressed like that at her age.  I wish that Havana Laffitte, TeenVOGUE fashion editor and stylist, styled me then.  Instead I was terrified of the force that was Havana when she came bellowing down the halls of the office, editing racks in a second.  And instead, this is what I dressed like…  Oh dear…  

TeenVOGUE July 2003

Yikes this also made it into my college application to Amherst… How Elle Woods of me… I didn’t have tons of “academic” awards, what can I say!  If I become fabulously wealthy and important, Domenico, Stefano, Miuccia and Havana will all be on speed dial…

The name Prada is synonymous to luxury and sophistication. Fashionistas are obsessed of everything from this renowned brand. Prada also posses a constant work of invention focusing to fashion development by creating a new book documenting the brand’s diverse projects in fashion, communication, architecture, film and art.

The book was perfectly named as “PRADA,”conceived and edited by Miuccia Prada and Patrizio Bertelli in collaboration with designers Michael Rock and Sung Joong Kim of New York City design firm 2×4. Rock Published by Prada Progetto Arte. The price for that is 100 euros ($150) and readily available at Prada stores worldwide, in exclusive bookstores and on Prada official website.

This scholarly witten tome has 706 pages that tells about 30 years of innovations and experiments in fashion, art, architecture, cinema and communications of Prada.

Bertelli, the chief executive officer of Prada Group once said “ For Prada, fashion, luxury and style go beyond producing an infinity of clothes and shoes, so the book wants to illustrate the various aspects through which Prada expresses itself.”

I have never been a massive fan of the German language. At school the rolling consonants of Spanish and French were far more alluring to me than the ichts and the bichts of German and learning it was never really contemplated. Whereas I often fantasize about doing more in Spanish than vamosing al cine, discussing Apollinaire in French with my French superstar-DJ/ artist/ model boyfriend and conversing with the Cosa Nostra or Miuccia Prada in fluent Italian, yearnings relating to German chat have pretty much evaded me. Even during my wanting-to-be-a-spy phase I figured a way round the consolatory five languages without learning German; Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese and Dutch. (Was very into Amsterdam at the time.)

In fact only on two occasions have I ever really wished that I spoke German. The first was upon finding myself phoneless and lost on the first night of a German dance festival at around three in the morning. Had I have been able to speak German it may never have reached the point where  I decided that best course of action would be to find the first randomer willing to accept 5 Euros so that I could call my parents….. who were on holiday in Italy at the time (and FAST asleep,) to cry about being lost. Although….. maybe  I would have done the same even with the power of the German tongue. Who knows.

The other was when I heard this song……

Wir Werden Sehen – Solomun Vox Remix

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-ZlTZu2uFs

I want to sing in German…just like her.

This Lady Gaga phenomenom is weird, When I first saw her, I have to say I hated her, it’s just the (awful) way she dresses. I know she wants/needs the attention, but it’s too much for me. But her music is somenthing else, I don’t specially like it, that was until Papparazzi, which, I have to say, is my guilty pleasure right now. A few days ago I read somewhere on the web that she had teamed with italian artist Francesco Vezzoli for a show at MOCA’s  30th Anniversary Celebration in LA. She sang her new single “Speechless” along a pink piano with butterflies painted by Damien Hirst, while the Bolshoi Ballet danced in the stage in costumes designed by Miuccia Prada. The whole show was, of course, masterminded by Vezzoli; who has often flirted with the show business. Looking Lady Gaga through the “art glass” surely puts things in a different perspective, I at least, stop thinking about her as an extravagant self-centered girl in desperate need of attention, and start considering her as an artist. So, very clever move by Lady Gaga and Vezzoli, both of them getting something from teaming up with each other.

Pictures: Just Jared and Coutorture

One step ahead: An exclusive behind-the-scenes look at what makes Prada the world’s most influential fashion label

From simple nylon rucksacks to wilfully challenging shoes, one label has always been at fashion’s cutting edge. And that’s to say nothing of the yachts, architecture, art patronage… Now a new book lays bare the full extent of the empire that Miuccia Prada has built, and the extraordinary influence her designs have over us

By Susannah Frankel

Careful observation of and curiosity about the world, society and culture are the core of Prada’s creativity and modernity,” states the foreword to the first major book dedicated to this monolithic designer name. “This pursuit has pushed Prada beyond the physical limitations of boutiques and showrooms, provoked an interaction with different and seemingly distant worlds, and introduced a new way to create a natural, almost fashionless fashion.” More than any other globally recognised luxury-goods company, Prada has sought to experiment and innovate, to push at the boundaries of fashion and anything else it touches – from fragrance to yachts – taking any interested party way beyond what might be expected from the comparatively straightforward appeal of designer clothes and accessories, however arresting these may be.

Full article: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/features/one-step-ahead-an-exclusive-behindthescenes-look-at-what-makes-prada-the-worlds-most-influential-fashion-label-1818812.html

Em 2010, a história da Prada vai ser publicada em livro. Nas 709 páginas da obra encontram-se, além da trajetória histórica da empresa, as imagens dos produtos mais icônicos produzidos pela grife, bem como todo o seu processo criativo. A obra promete contar como a marca influenciou não só a moda, mas também o cinema, a arquitetura e a publicidade.

Fundada em 1913 por Fratelli e Mario Prada, a grife começou trabalhando exclusivamente com peças feitas em couro. Em 1978 a sobrinha Miuccia Prada assumiu a liderança criativa da empresa passando a produzir roupas sóbrias de linhas retas e simples. Hoje, o marido de Miuccia, Patrizio Bertelli,  é o responsável pela administração da marca.

O livro também trata da Fondazione Prada e do Museu Prada, que está sendo projetado por Rem Koolhas, responsável pela loja de NY e que acredita na conclusão do museu antes da realização da ExpoMilão, em 2015.

No site da Prada tem uma pequena apresetação do livro. Ele estará a venda on line e também nas lojas da grife ao preço de 100 euros.

Item de colecionador para todos aqueles que amam moda.

Imagem: Reprodução

For Spring, Miuccia Prada did “business to beach,” a representation, she said, of “how life is today.” Her girl was chic and together looking, with a teased, side-swept hairdo sporting manipulated photographic prints of palm trees and beach umbrellas evoking a ’50s and ’60s vibe. But what I adored the most were the shiny red lips and these clear sunglasses.

Vero nome Maria Bianchin nata a Milano il  10 maggio 1948.  La più giovane nipote di Mario Prada, fondatore dell’impresa. Miuccia Prada, insieme al marito Patrizio Bertelli, ha guidato e trasformato Prada in una delle case di moda più blasonate del mercato internazionale. È annoverata come la seconda donna più potente al mondo nell’ambito della moda da Time Magazine e tra i venti magnati della moda più ricchi secondo Forbes. Risulta inoltre, sempre secondo Forbes, tra le trecento persone più ricche al mondo al 2006. Laureata in Scienze Politiche, Miuccia Prada si guadagnò il titolo di dottore di ricerca nel 1978 nella stessa disciplina. Nello stesso anno ereditò dalla madre le redini dell’azienda, per quanto al tempo Miuccia manifestasse ben altri interessi: aveva intrapreso la carriera di mimo recitando nel Teatro Piccolo della sua città, aderito al Partito Comunista Italiano e lottato per i diritti delle donne nella Milano degli anni settanta. Ciò nonostante Miuccia Prada cominciò a disegnare nel 1985 una collezione di borse nere, senza etichetta, in nylon che diventarono presto richiestissime in tutto il mondo, finendo per essere valutate da numerose modelle e giornalisti di moda come la punta di diamante tra gli accessori per donna.

Nel 1989 presentò la prima linea di pret-a-porter autunno-inverno a Milano: lo stile, che giocava sul contrasto cromatico bianco-nero, spianò la strada per il successo di Prada. Nel 1992 nacque la linea Miu Miu, e da allora Miuccia Prada presenta regolarmente due volte all’anno le nuove collezioni della maison a Milano.Legata all’attuale marito già verso la fine dell’anni settanta, con il suo appoggio e sostegno Miuccia ha cominciato a muovere i primi passi nell’imprenditoria, facendo pian piano di Prada un colosso mondiale in grado di rivaleggiare con il gruppo LVMH e acquisendo etichette del calibro di Helmut Lang, Jil Sander e Azzedine Alaïa. 

Erano i giorni delle contestazioni operaie e studentesche del ’68 quando Miuccia Prada, tutta accaldata e vestita di fiori, irrompeva nella pelletteria di famiglia dopo aver trascorso la giornata a manifestare per le strade del centro di Milano, proprio a due passi dalla Galleria dove sorgeva il negozio. Con la gola ancora tesa e gli occhi carichi di entusiasmo, la diciannovenne Miuccia respirava l’odore pregno e famigliare delle pelli lavorate, osservava la sapienza artigianale del mestiere del nonno, per poi sparire nuovamente dal negozio con la stessa folata di vento che aveva accompagnato il suo ingresso. La meglio gioventù di Miuccia si divideva tra gli incontri con il Collettivo, le lezioni all’Università e le prove di teatro. Nessuna intenzione di ereditare l’impresa di famiglia né tanto meno di trasformarla in una delle case di moda più importanti e apprezzate del pianeta. Come invece è accaduto. “Credo che il mio successo nasca proprio da questo conflitto”, spiega Miuccia Prada in un’intervista rilasciata all’Espresso, argomentando con sincera lucidità i casi della vita e le scelte che hanno determinato la sua fortuna nel campo della moda e del design. Il suo grande merito è stato quello di riuscire a fondere, senza confondere, due diversi stimoli creativi, due matrici ideologiche che hanno accompagnato parallele l’esperienza della sua vita nonché la storia della politica e del costume italiano di questi quarant’anni. Correvano gli anni ‘80, i retaggi delle lotte studentesche echeggiavano da megafoni ormai lontanissimi e il boom economico incentivava l’imprenditoria e lo shopping. Miuccia Prada, già laureata in Scienze Politiche con tesi su “Il Partito Comunista e la scuola”, invece di perseguire il sogno bohemienne di fare il mimo, prende in gestione la piccola impresa di famiglia e dimostra fin da subito le sue capacità innovative.

Gli accessori Prada, indossati dalle star, falsificati, stravenduti, stupiscono per l’impercettibile cura delle rifiniture e diventano in breve tempo un business intercontinentale, oltre che un vezzo estremamente desiderabile. Stessa sorte pochi anni dopo per il lancio della prima linea di abbigliamento donna, per proseguire poi con la linea uomo, i profumi, il nuovo marchio Miu Miu, più accessibile e giovane, e così via. Negli anni il Gruppo Prada acquisisce importanti etichette come Jil Sander e Helmut Lang diventando un colosso mondiale, quotato in borsa dalla fine del 2007. Insignita di premi prestigiosi, costantemente presente nella top ten di tutte le classifiche che contano, Miuccia Prada è attualmente una delle donne più influenti della moda mondiale, nonostante non abbia mai rinnegato la sua natura disobbediente e segretamente amante del brutto, del trash… Difficile a credersi sfogliando i cataloghi delle sfilate Prada dell’ultimo decennio, dove il rigore, l’austera grazia delle linee e delle tinte trionfano come modello di raffinatezza e eleganza minimale.

Analizzando lo stile Prada nel dettaglio, tuttavia, si possono scovare non pochi indizi di quel passato che Miuccia ha saputo tradurre in fuoco creativo e successo imprenditoriale. Ad esempio si vedono spuntare da sotto i sandali griffati grezzi calzettoni di lana alla Zabriskie Point, e le borse, grosse come bisacce, si sostituiscono alle spocchiose pochette, mentre i materiali industriali contaminano la seta più pregiata. Importantissimo il contributo di architetti di fama – come Rem Koolhaas e Herzog & Meuron – per la progettazione di spazi espositivi d’avanguardia, gli “Epicentri” di New York, Los Angeles e Tokyo, dove l’esperienza di fare shopping si rinnova in un contesto architettonico avveniristico.

La stilista ha sempre seguito un percorso creativo direttamente connesso con il mondo dell’arte, prodigandosi anche nel ruolo di mecenate. Nel 1993 nasce la Fondazione Prada, uno spazio dedicato a nuovi progetti espositivi, che organizza mostre e eventi di rilevanza internazionale. Per Miuccia non esistono tassative sliding doors, ma una serie di alternative possibili che non si escludono, al contrario si rafforzano, a vicenda. Così come non è escluso che un giorno, oltre a perseguire il suo impegno in campo artistico, decida di entrare in politica “per dedicarsi a cose più utili”… Per adesso preferisce continuare a confezionare quei famosi “vestitucci”, come lei stessa li definisce, che sono soltanto una meravigliosa appendice della sua non comune biografia.

www.prada.com

Already, I know some of you have confused faces, but dont. It’s time to open our minds, get with the times, Know what I mean, Well If you don’t keep reading.

Miuccia Prada, has some interesting plans for the Mens A/W10 line, riding on the trend which has been bubbling under for a while now she is planning on putting mini-skirts for men into the collection. After an interview with Parisian magazine: Purple Fashion she said:

I’m working on [a men’s collection] right now and someone at the office worriedly asked me, ‘You’re not going to make short skirts again, are you?’,” Prada recalls of a recent conversation with a collaborator. “So I’m now pushing it even further, just for revenge!”  She continues. “Menswear is so limited so I’m free with my ideas. Otherwise I’d die of boredom.” [SOURCE]

Given that Marc Jacobs is the biggest advocate and has pushed trend for a while now it’s not really a surprise to me, plus I did see some skirts for men at the MAN show in London last month. The funny thing is, you would think it would look really feminine but it actually didnt, if worn the right way it really could be a big thing. Saying that, I know this wont filter down to the masses for at least another 2 years. lol

Anyway check out  some of the pics I took at the J.W. Anderson MAN show below:

 IMG|SOURCE: AndreDeveaux

Collage via Fashionphile

www.prada.com

Related posts:

Jil Sander: Spring-Summer 2010

C’N’C Costume National: Spring-summer 2010 

Fendi: Spring-Summer 2010

Photos : nymag.com / Lay out : Mademoiselle Le K

www.prada.com

Autres articles:

Jil Sander: Printemps-Eté 2010

C’N’C Costume National: Printemps-Eté 2010

Fendi: Printemps-Eté 2010

Source photos : nymag.com / Maquette : Mademoiselle Le K

Here’s your taste of the Miu Miu Spring/Summer 2010 shoes shown at Paris Fashion Week. While having been dismissed as childish by some critics, I find this collection just a little bit fabulous. The asian inspired cut-outs are very fashion forward, while the mary-jane and ankle boot designs will feel familiar joining your wardrobe. With simple prints featuring flowers or animals, you have room to be a little more outrageous with the rest of your outfit. Or you could stick to something sleek – a nice black straight-legged pant or opaque leggings would look classy. I’d say these delightfully feminine shoes fall in somewhere between cool 70’s chick attire, your old private school uniform, the lady at the Chinese grocery store’s sandals, and something lost in Chloe Sevigny’s closet.

MIU MIUの春夏２０１０年靴コレクションを見てください。「PARIS FASHION WEEK」にデビューしました。色んなジャーナリストは「このコレクションは子供の気分が多い」が言いました。今年のMIU MIUの靴はグラマラスだと思います。新しいオリエンタルなスタイルがあるでも、メアリー・ジェーンズと短いブーツもあります。この２つがよく知っているですね。シンプルなプリントもあるから「花や動物など」、面白い服を身に着けることができます！シンプルな服もできる。たとえば、スリムなズボンかカラフルなレギングは大丈夫です。このコレクションはちょっと７０年代ギャル、ちょっと征服、ちょっと中国人のサンダルとちょっとCHLOE SEVIGNY見たいなスタイルですね。

dolly

+ meias de algodão Miu Miu, $435,  na visão de uma senhora italiana chamada Miuccia Prada.

Preparem os sorrisos pro editorial especial de dia das crianças:

NÃO É UMA COISA FOFA ESSE EDITORIAL????????

O QUE É O MINI KARL GENTE???? E O ALBER ELBAZ? COISA RHYCA!

confesso que fiquei com medo da mini Stella, parece uma anã.

(Harper's Bazaar US - out/97 via tfs)

True to form, Miuccia Prada’s collection was a contradiction in terms; sweet and sexual, virginal and vamp.

A sweet cat print and a swallow in flight contrasted with the image of a reclining nude. Bra details across a see-through bodice, with sequinned flames, were set against innocent puffed sleeves.

True to form, Miuccia Prada’s collection was a contradiction in terms; sweet and sexual, virginal and vamp.

A sweet cat print and a swallow in flight contrasted with the image of a reclining nude. Bra details across a see-through bodice, with sequinned flames, were set against innocent puffed sleeves.

CIFF has asked the French trend agency NellyRodi for their ideas on what will characterise the fashion scene for spring/summer 2010 – and there is no doubt that the current financial situation will dictate a completely new framework.

CIFF (Copenhagen International Fashion Fair) in Bella Center is now ready for the August version of Copenhagen’s fashion week from 6-9 August.
For a long time, the French trend agency NellyRodi has been working on the trends for spring/summer 2010, and they have now decided on four trends: ‘Light Tech’, ‘Ode to Nature’, ‘Southern Folk’ and ‘Popular Appeal’.

“We have started with a clean slate and are now looking positively at the future, almost as though it is a new beginning. A neo-classic style will therefore characterise 2010, and we will see well-known designs in new styles,” says trend manager Ulla Skjødt, Federation of Danish Clothing and Textile Industries, and adds:

“The financial situation is exerting a strong influence on the current picture and is contributing to creating a brand new framework – and this is challenging creativity. There is a strong desire to search for an explanation, to seek out the simple and perhaps find the truth. These trends reflect many idealistic thoughts about the future.”

The four trends form the starting point for the popular CIFF TrendShow, which is shown once a day during the fair on the large stage in Hall A.

Copenhagen International Fashion Fair
www.ciff.dk

True to form, Miuccia Prada’s collection was a contradiction in terms; sweet and sexual, virginal and vamp.

A sweet cat print and a swallow in flight contrasted with the image of a reclining nude. Bra details across a see-through bodice, with sequinned flames, were set against innocent puffed sleeves.

The youthful charm of smocking, on Victorian-style sleeves, and on yoked necklines, was at odds with sheer, stretch tulle, embellished with silver beading. And while the models had their hair styled in a demure plait over the left shoulder, a voice on the soundtrack was husking “I want you, I need you, I love you.”

The juxtaposition was echoed in the colours, the prints and the fabrics; a prim, schoolgirl collar in a red/cream swallow print on a modestly-cut dress, sleeves in the cat print in blue on black, a bejewelled front, and a plain, cream back.

Childlike cotton piques were at odds with the lush, sparkly beading. Many of the dresses had a Biba-esque flavour, with raised waistlines, A-line skirts and leg-o-mutton type sleeves.

The mood for boleros, which is sweeping the Paris catwalks, was seen here in the trouser suits, in a black brocade, which featured a curved, cropped, bolero-jacket, strapped across the bustline, over a collared shirt and slim trousers, often with a perky frill at the back of the hipline.

An exaggerated bolero, in ruched folds, layered over A-line dresses drew more attention to the shoulder. Mrs Prada also invented the ‘rib-lace’, a crystal necklace which was worn beneath the bra.

Source: Telegraph.co.uk

Recherche des vêtements et des accessoires de Ralph Lauren ? Nous avons de bons vêtements pour hommes et des femmes. 100 authentiques et la qualité est grand.

Images from style.com; Prada Spring 2010 RTW, September 24, 2009

Although this collection seemed more appropriate for Resort than Spring RTW (must be the general pantslessness), I absolutely love Miuccia Prada’s use of baubles and fabrics.  I could actually see myself wearing most of the collection to class – with some kind of pants, of course – a rare emotion felt during fashion week.  The beachy prints are beautiful, the fabrics look lush, and who doesn’t love sparkling?  (Can someone please DIY the crystal dress? Or the shoes?  The bag?  Anything??)

Though some critics have written off this collection as incomplete or juvenile, I find it interesting and playful, a good combination for Spring.  And I can’t wait until my hair grows long enough so I can wear this cool pigtail look. What do you say??

Paris

A lolita provocadora da Miu Miu. Estampa de animal, modelagem mais skinny, marcando mais o corpo, cintura marcada no alto em calças, saias, shorts e vestidos, bordados, aplicações, mangas bufantes, sapatos incríveis com saltos enormes, ombros marcados discretamente e arredondados. Marinho, nude, branco, preto em sua maioria com vermelho, laranja, amarelo e verde em detalhes e aplicações.

Tem 3 nomes da moda que eu acho incrível:

Miuccia Prada: porque parece que a irmã do Chico Buarque deu certo no estrangeiro…

Jade Gola: o nome já diz tudo, apesar dele infelizmente ter tido uma passagem rápida na moda porque o povo do colarinho branco não gosta de gola canoa.

Candy Pratts Price: um trava língua fashion amuleto. Quando encontrar a Diaba fale 13 vezes bem rápido esse nome para não virar uma bota pata de bode nude.

A Diaba e a Trava (língua)

Em tempos de delírio nonsense, encerro o post com um link para as Las Bibas e sua dublagem do encontro entre Madonna ( Caldo Madge) e Lady Gaga ( Leite Caca) no Saturday Night Live. Maravilhoso

MILAN, – Whether it’s the economic crisis or just the fashion mood of the moment, designers are skimping on fabric for this round of preview showings for the spring/summer 2010.

Mini hemlines, bare backs and one-shoulder styles are all about quality not quantity, especially at Donatella Versace, where the outfits are as tight as they are short.

At the end of the second day of showings, it is apparent that the accent for next year’s warm weather is on detailing with intricate prints — Prada’s seaside scenes, for example — or metallic or beaded inlays, such as the decorative panels on Armani’s evening wear or the armor like silver and bronze strands at Ferre and Versace.

The use of transparent printed plastic is an eye-catching combination of flesh and fabric, without the need for the usual complicated cutting and stitching. Bright colors and airy chiffon underline the lighthearted spirit of the summer styles.

A day after Miuccia Prada decreed death to the platform heel, Donatella Versace resurrected it with an 18-centimeter (7-inch) version which made the already-tall models look like they were walking on stilts.

FERRE

The Ferre fashion house, which is still evolving since the death of its founder, Gianfranco, two years ago, presented a quietly elegant spring/summer collection, perfect for summer celebrations.

Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi used muted colors — white, sand, honey and nude — in light chiffon fabrics, which the designers gently wrapped around the body like a cocoon, for above-the-knee cocktail dresses and ultra light jackets.

The designing duo, in their second year at Ferre, introduced a new softness while still retaining some of the late designers’ structured elements — including the signature white blouses and squared lapels.

According to the designers’ notes, the overall theme was of a caterpillar evolving into a butterfly — epitomized by a black chiffon cocktail dress with a a large bow fashioned into a butterfly’s wings that frame the face. The show concentrated on after-hours, with only a few outfits dedicated to daytime — a trend that reflects modern living, where many people work from their homes and emerge at night for fun.

Lest anyone think the collection is only about play, the duo included a few pantsuits with fitted jackets and deep-cuffed skinny trousers. “We want to cover every occasion of the day,” CEO Michele Pica said after the show.

VERSACE

Donatella Versace has sheathed her models in the miniest and tightest of skirts, emanating power with towering stilettos and silver accents forming breastplates ideal for today’s women warriors.

The spring/summer 2010 Versace collection presented Friday is for the “extremely sexy and iridescent” woman, according to the designer’s notes.

The body-clinging collection of skintight pants, dresses and skirts features bold patterns in yellow, lavender and black, as well as vibrant turquoise and fluorescent shades of pink and peach.

Models strode down the runway under track lighting to rhythmic music evoking the jungle — and not a few of the outfits brought to mind Amazon warriors for their metallic studs and microchains evoking armor and breastplates. Tarzan’s Jane would love to be seen swinging from branches in a minidress of laser-cut leather triangles stitched together.

Versace seems to be approaching a new mathematical certainty where the shortness of the skirt is somehow inversely proportionate to the height of the shoes: The micromini skirts may be approaching the 18 centimeters (7 inches) of the stilettos.

Versace also created sheer plastic skirts, covering swim suits or with body suits underneath for street wear, something that would not seem out of line on Barbie, and certainly practical for the beach.

Occupying choice seats at the Versace show were Janet Jackson, who is in Milan to lead a charity dinner next week, actor Rupert Everett and tennis star Roger Federer with his wife, Mirka, the mother of the couple’s twin baby girls.