Milan Fashion Week S/S 2011 presented us with a pleasant surprise, for the most part. We’ve often dismissed the lot of Italian fashion as garish, loud and way too bright. Wrong, we know, just like, rationally, we know that all Asians aren’t bad drivers, we just like to think they are every time they cut us off in traffic. This time around, however, the Italians brought it with modern minimalism, calculated color and sleek silhouettes.

GUCCI- Frida Giannini married vibrant jewel tones and high-gloss sheen to maximum glamour and threw in safari-inspired fabulosity for good measure. Gold accents touched almost everything, to the relief of the middle eastern girl in me (can I make any more ethnic stereotypes? geez). Perfect for a nightclub in Morocco in the 70s or in NYC’s Meatpacking district today. All in all, an infinitely wearable and aspirational collection.

Etro, Moschino Cheap & Chic- Bold color and patterns were the name of the game at Etro and Moschino Cheap & Chic. The comfortable flared and wide pants are a welcome reprieve from circulation killing skinny jeans. The non-annoying floral and checkered prints seemed fresh without being overbearing.

Etro

Etro

Moschino Cheap & Chic

Moschino Cheap & Chic

Max Mara, Versace- Black, white and fabulous at Max Mara and Versace! Of course, not everything was black and white–there were tribal prints and brilliant Mediterranean colors at Versace, too. These two collections were minimal and body-conscious, yet still sexy without being blatantly vulgar.

Max Mara

Max Mara

Versace

Versace

Versace

Sheer Metal- Emporio Armani’s collection maintained a cohesiveness without sameness. Sheer fabrics and a neutral metallic sheen touched most pieces with the unexpected, fresh layering of longer skirt sand shorts underneath longer tunics.