Milan Fashion week hots up for spring/summer 09

Nevertheless, as the weather stays fine the spirits stay high in the Italian fashion capital, here’s ELLE’s highlights from Milan Fashion Week so far.

Giorgio Armani

One of his best shows in seasons Armani’s s/s09 collection reinforced this designer’s ideas about modern-day style and elegance that have made him an unshakable, world famous brand. Signature styles from the trouser suit to the evening gown were in abundance. For the bottom halves - trousers for spring were cut long and lean, worn with long-line jackets. The palette was predominantly blues and neutrals, like mushroom, oyster and pewter, which evoked the sea. Indeed a feeling of fluidity inhabited the entire collection from the metallic silk and organza fabrics to the sequined tops and trousers that shimmered along the catwalk. Skirts sat just above the knee and a puffed hem was new. This season’s must-have trouser was there too in cotton, with a paper bag waist and the now customary, cropped tapered leg. The finale dresses were simply beautiful and will have pleased Armani’s front row fans like Cate Blanchett (pictured) who will have plenty to choose from come red carpet season.

D&G

D&G are not shy of a good theme and this season’s inspiration came from all things nautical. From the opening striped playsuit with red, anchor motif to the super cute, cable knit swimming caps worn by the models-cum-shipmates, it was a clear case of all aboard the catwalk at their s/s 09 show.

Their version of the classic bretton top was our favourite piece, slightly cropped, in a fine, striped sequined knit - as with many catwalks in Milan this week, sequins peppered the whole collection, appearing on everything from boucle pea coats to boxy jackets that rode on the hip of all beautifully fluid, all over, sequined trousers.

For accessories, boxy bags should be big s