Milan fashion shines in wearable luxury

As written by Rueters correspodent Antonella Ciancio,  Italian fashion designers created shimmering, fluid looks for their 2011 spring/summer collections, mixing fringes and lengths to seduce women as conscious of their bodies as of their money.

Crystal embroideries, golden belts and mirror heels shone at the Milan shows ended on Tuesday. A longer calendar and a new central location attracted more buyers than last year, confirming signs of recovery for luxury good brands.

“Buyers increased to over 15,000 this year, with more coming from Asia and the United States,” Mario Boselli, president of Italy’s National Chamber of Fashion, said on Tuesday.

“There was more vigor, also because of the improved economic situation after the crisis,” he said.

Fashion houses Cavalli and Ferragamo said sales continued to rise in the third quarter, but kept a cautious outlook for the rest of 2010, as many see 2011 as a test year for recovery.

A relaxed, sensual elegance inspired Dolce&Gabbana, whose bride-to-be models wore white clothes made from bed linens and tablecloths in a tribute to Italy’s best sartorial tradition.

Crystals were sewn on long-slung robes, like those seen at Armani, whose blue collection was inspired by desert nomads.

“I wanted very sexy clothes, but wearable,” Armani told reporters after his glittering, linear show.