With attention poised for Paris Fashion Week, we caught up with three top European buyers for a debrief on Milan.
Here is their take on favorite shows, the week’s biggest trends and their predictions for the bigger picture.
• Cassie Smart, buying manager of footwear and bags at Matchesfashion.com
Top trend: “Decorative seems to be the main trend — slides have an ‘entertaining at home’ feel with strong embellishment. A microtrend is the flatform as seen at Gucci, and lovely pearl versions at No. 21.”
Favorite shows: “Marco de Vincenzo and Gucci, where heels felt sexy and glamorous, with a modern edge in the use of satin, complementing the ready-to-wear — the mules in the Attico presentation were my personal favorites.”
Overall outlook: “Embellishment across the board from heels to flatforms.”
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• Sarah Rutson, vice president of global buying, Net-a-Porter
Top trend: “Statement footwear continues as a key trend. Embellishment, bold color, print and metallics were all a focus.”
Favorite shows: “My top three presentations were Prada, Gianvito Rossi and Attico.”
Overall outlook: “Ankle ties are the biggest trend of the season, while the mule and flat slides still remain important.”
• Ida Petersson, non-apparel buying manager, Browns Fashion
Top trend: ”The reinvention of the slide.”
Favorite shows: ”Marco de Vincenzo — can this guy do any wrong? I am completely and utterly in love with all of his creations, and how fun was Dolce & Gabbana? The tropical trend that we saw emerging for pre-fall was taken up a notch, and I especially liked the slides which almost looked like hotel slippers. As for Gucci, I loved the pearl embellishment, the platforms and the disco sandal.”
Overall outlook: “The stories that came out of London and New York are definitely aligned with Milan, and the overall message of being kind to your feet is now firmly established for spring ’17.”
