Click through the galleries below to see the best in footwear from the Milan Fashion Week spring ’16 collections.
Missoni
For spring ’16, zig-zag Converse x Missoni high-top sneakers were paired with the label’s equally punchy signature prints. There were also multicolored strappy woven flats style. —R.A.
MSGM
At MSGM, the souped-up hightop sneakers were a collection highlight. In various reptile prints and pastel pops, they also had super-sized dangling grommet detailing for added street style fodder. For Italy’s high-contemporary brands, statement sneakers continue to be an important runway about-face to the establishment. —M.L.H.
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Salvatore Ferragamo
For spring ’16, Salvatore Ferragamo is embracing flats, particularly those of the lace-up variety. The lace-up trend is one that’s dominated the runways, and creative director Massimiliano Giornetti put his own spin on the trend. Pointy-toe flats were offered in a range of colors both muted (black and olive green) as well as brights (pink and yellow). In a nod to the athleisure trend, there was also a sandal-meets-sneaker lace-up style that looked suited for the streets of Italy. —R.A.
Marni
Marni’s version of more-is-more is something to behold. Without veering into literal nor ridiculous arenas of maximalism, Consuelo Castiglioni used liberal amount of material and outsize details in her collection. Footwear was also living large. But again, not what you’d expect. Thick bands of stiff leather took over the uppers of sandals, almost rendering them borderline not an open-toe anymore. Heels were block and triangular, flat, or strapped. Sometimes though, they were woefully obscured under too-long layers. — M.L.H
DSquared2
At DSquared2, the label’s signature wild aesthetic was out to play. One’s eyes could hardly stay on the clothes before the footwear became the center of attention. Ultra-strappy sandals were adorned with sequins, shells and colorful skinny ropes. If one is looking for a spring statement shoe, look no further. —R.A.
Jil Sander
For Jil Sander creative director Rodolfo Paglialunga, who has been with the brand a year, spring ’16 was all about blocky heels. While the beauty of his were the mule or d’orsay cut to add some femininity, most appeared to be a touch too big for models. That, or they are so accustomed to wearing either flats or soaring heels that this middle ground was foreign, but it is a neat new silhouette for now. —M.L.H.
Bottega Veneta
Bottega Veneta offered easy dressing for spring ’16. Throw-on-and-go ensembles were paired with an assortment of flats and sandals. There was a bright orange pair and a pair of sandals with grommets. A few platform and clog styles were also done in a fun cheetah print. —R.A.
Roberto Cavalli
Lace-up footwear continues to appear on runways in both New York and Europe, and Roberto Cavalli was no exception. Lace-up pumps were done in black, beige, blue and a deep purple. There were also bright booties with a loose bow embellishment on the sides, offered in neutrals as well as a bright orange, lavender and chartreuse. —R.A.
Marco de Vincenzo
Marco de Vincenzo referenced the Memphis design movement for his spring ’16 footwear. Set atop a swooping modeled deco heel of black, white and gold was a sandal with generous tufts of marabou at the toe. Again for the designer, who last season caused a show sensation with his pillowy braided stilettos, these were were signature shoes that end every look on delightful note. There were also monochrome woven satin flats that had a similar charm. But a little feather goes a long way. — M.L.H
Giamba
Giamba’s spring ’16 collection is a dream-come-true for those who spent many childhood afternoons playing dress up with flouncy skirts and mom’s heels. Models donned fun printed dresses, skirts, pants and jackets. Printed pumps were paired with zebra stripe ankle socks, which seems like an excellent choice for early spring chilly days. — R.A
Emporio Armani
At Emporio Armani, there was a shoe for everyone. There were peep-toe booties with large ribbon lacing on the sides, sheer Mary-Jane flats that allow a peek at the toes, white athleisure sneakers, flats and sandals with multicolored jewels and floral flats. Although there was no real focus to the footwear, each style lent itself to the girly, swingy apparel. —R.A.
Blumarine
Florals for spring? This is of course nothing new, but Blumarine’s frothy, sheer dresses and skirts felt like a breath of fresh air. The easy looks beg to be worn on a sun-drenched breezy day. Some of the ensembles were paired with bright multicolored strappy sandals. Other looks were foiled with strappy black or nude sandals and pumps with studs, which seem to acknowledge the success of the Valentino Rockstud look that has become so popular. —R.A.
Max Mara
Max Mara embraced throwback ’30s nautica for spring ’16. Marine stripes and sailor flag stars were paired with sporting wedge Mary-Janes and Oxfords in box-fresh white or black. With wide leg pants and drop-waist dresses, the total look called to mind the seaside sartorial flair of Coco Chanel during that era. — M.L.H
Fausto Puglisi
Always one for a high-impact collection, designer Fausto Puglisi offered a bold assortment of Western boots for his spring ’16 show at Milan Fashion Week.
While Puglisi’s ready-to-wear had a theatrical vibe of its own, including bejeweled crop tops to toga-style draping, the footwear took center stage in his latest collection. The traditional cowboy boot was done in a pointy-toe silhouette with metal details, either in a pale pink leopard print or with crystal embellishing. — C.A
Alberta Ferretti
Alberta Ferretti played with cutouts for spring ’16, doing the treatment in a below-the-knee boot, ankle booties and thong-style sandals. Flat and heeled sandals were also done in a woven leather, combining unexpected shades like mossy green with light brown. — C.A
No. 21
Designer Alessandro Dell’Acqua added various feathers onto his sandal styles, which came in both mule and flat versions in embossed snakeskin. Some shoes went one step further with a row of tassels, which made the silhouettes extra bulky, or a leather kiltie detail on the front. Compared to the brand’s previous season of satin bowed shoes, the footwear approach for spring was decidedly more fall-appropriate. — C.A
Gucci
Alessandro Michele’s spring ’16 show for Gucci appeared to be very much inspired by a mystical forest this season. Shoes had refined touches of wilderness on them, such as floral-print lining or hand-painted snake coils on the block heels of mules. While the ready-to-wear featured literal interpretations of the theme—shaped fabric hydrangeas used as straps, giant ladybugs embroidered onto neck ties—the footwear offered subtler riffs on the motif. — C.A
