Dispatch from Milan: The blues (and George Clooney) at Giorgio Armani

It’s the last day of Milan Fashion Week. Am I blue? Not at all, but Giorgio Armani certainly is as he closed the week with a calm, serene show full of dark, inky hues. The collection mixed a new silhouette of short cropped jackets layered over long skirts and dresses, or, sometimes, over shorter skirts and narrow pants. With sheer fabrics, turban hats, flat sandals, a ruffle here and sequins there, Mr. Armani had his audience enraptured. (George Clooney in the front row didn’t hurt.)

Calm seemed to be the word of the day.

Both Roberto Cavalli and DSquared quieted down their usual flashy runway antics and both presented calm, yet strong, collections.

In fact for Cavalli, the flashiest things got were the photographer’s flashbulbs popping like mad for front row guests Taylor Swift, Leona Lewis, Rachel Bilson and George Clooney squeeze Elisabetta Canalis. A mirrored tent behind Milan’s Arch of Peace and a greenhouse of huge plastic leaves was the set for 40 looks on 40 models (Natalia Vodianova opened) to celebrate 40 years. Instead of the expected leopard print retrospective, Cavalli went the serene route and showed a hippie trippy fringe fest of neutral pale pinks, and silver suedes, snakes, lizard, leathers, all dripping with crystals, horn charms and fringe.

DSquared proved that less flash can equal more charm. Their preppy tomboys dressed in roomy cardigans, slouchy pant suits, tuxes, flat oxfords and eye glasses created a boyish (and wearable) new sex appeal.

Ciao for now!
See a gallery of looks from Giorgio Armani, Roberto Cavalli and DSquared»
Read our full coverage of the Spring 2011 shows»

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