The Spring/Summer 2012 collection has melted the Iceberg

     John Richmond, designer of Iceberg showed us a new more sophisticated side of grunge today. It’s the middle of Milan Fashion Week and we had the opportunity to sit through a fashion show. I only see this on the computer, magazines or TV but now I can have my first hand experience and enjoy a fashion show from one of my favorite designers.

Iceberg Spring/Summer 2012 Show Invitation

            We arrived in Brera, Milan at 10 via Palermo and first saw a group of people, most likely back stage crew, waiting outside all dressed in black.  We were definitely at the show. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was surprised that a normal building on the street actually holds an area for a fashion show.  Just like any fashion show, the designer says it starts at 11:00 that might mean noon.  It’s the one thing I didn’t understand about this part of the industry because every second is valuable and costly, how is it possible to be carefree about the time? I did not mind, I was taking in everything around me. When will I have this chance again?

            The entrance had two body guards checking people on the list, cars from Camera della Moda stopped to drop off reporters and press and street team handing out trend books and newspapers about yesterdays fashion show.  The wait was the perfect time to catch up on prime people watching. I saw some men and women dressed in the latest trends effortlessly entering the building. As anyone studying fashion, looking and analyzing people’s outfits, actions and mannerisms are all key to finding trends. 

 The overall style for men was upper casual with nice fitted slacks or shorts with a woven button down layered with a tailored blazer than finished with visible socks in loafers, oxfords or high top sneakers.  Women wore upper casual clothing as well wearing dresses, skirts or nice slacks. Layering with scarves, jewelry and purses made each outfit express something different. Overall, the shoes tied the outfit together for a fresh and crisp finish.

            

It was time to go in and my heart started to race. We were directed by an usher to our seats and as he opened the curtains it was official.  As we found our area I scoped out the entire room for familiar faces and caught one; the president of Camera della Moda right at the end of the runway. I think the best seat of the show is the end by the photographers because the model must pose for the camera and allows longer time to take everything in.  Once the lights dimmed it was show time. The drum music came on and all the models lined up by the backdrop facing the crowd and ready to walk down the runway. The models were grungy with a short beard and a bun on their heads while some were clean cut with a comb over. 

   The overall look appeared to have 1930’s influence. Major trends seen at the show are pants with some wrinkle affect that are cuffed to show off their shoes mainly oxfords in grays and sand color. 

There was a variety of cardigans and sweaters either tailored or cable knit over a low scoop neck shirt. Blazers and light jackets were seen heavily on the runway in navy blue and gray. Stripes and soft plaids patterns were shown but in a more unconventional way. 

For example; there was a woven shirt with one strip of blue down the buttons while the rest was white, a navy blue knit sweater that had different levels due to the stripes of different fabric.  The colors were neutral with shades of gray, blue and sand with a pop of maroon, coral red and mustard yellow. 

This was my first fashion show and I learned a lot of basics. Firstly, when a model does not meet their mark the crowd boos. I first thought it was probably because they didn’t like the outfit but it was actually because the photographers rely on it to take their pictures.

It took all of 20-25 minutes to finish the show and as soon as it was done, the crowd cleared out in 5 minutes. I was left with a huge rush of adrenaline and wanting more. I’ve always appreciated men’s clothing but this show just increased my interest. Fashion shows is the best area to see how to style together an outfit, which is always necessary in any area.

       We ended our day at NABA where we received fantastic news that we will be attending two more fashion shows tomorrow! Incredible surprise! Gazzarrini and Enrico Coveri, I will be seeing you tomorrow!

On June 20th