Milan Fashion Week - Day 3 & 4

SPORTMAX On the 3rd day of Milan Fashion Week Sportmax showed an animalistic collection consisting of opulent fur, leopard print, snakeskin and ponyskin. The silhouette was mainly elongated or the new midi-length, but with mostly a clean line. Mixed skin prints made for interesting styling, like a brown belted snakeskin midi skirt with a tucked in black snakeskin shirt jacket. Graphic Jackson Pollock-esque prints were shown on outerwear and separates, and made for a fashionable explosion of pattern.

LUISA BECCARIA There is always a romantic and whimsical touch to Beccaria's collections, and this season's colour palette highlighted the sentiment, with soft rose pinks and lilacs amongst the understated hues. Beccaria is a go-to label for feminine dresses, and even if they lack the impact of some of her contemporaries, her brand embodies beautifully timless fabrics, like sheer organza, delicate lace or plissé georgette.

BOTTEGA VENETA Italian luxury brand Bottega may be better known for its leathergoods than its ready-to-wear, but its graphic collection of mostly dresses made a strong start to the 4th day of Milan Fashion Week. Dresses with high necklines falling just below the knee came in bold prints, jagged lines or op art stripes. It was a very fluid collection from Thomas Maier, with some lovely shapes and separates.

ROBERTO CAVALLI It was a fiery collection at Roberto Cavalli. Both literally and figuratively, with a ring of fire warmly blazing behind the models, who wore flapper dresses with crimson furs, in looks that celebrated opulence and high octane glamour. Leather, tweed, fox and python were just some of the fabrics on show. This was eveningwear at its most 'molto sexy.'

JIL SANDER Pale and interesting was the new code at the house of Jil Sander. The collections are now in charge of the brand's design team since the departure of Sander herself. Anonymity is not necessarily a tour de force for a house that was founded by somebody who was anything but anonymous, and who was in fact of fashion's most celebrated visionaries. On show were minimalist looks in muted chalky colours with hints of citrus, pale pinks and greens. Volume and cocooning formed the key silhouettes with the shift dress and boxy jackets defined as key styles.

Images: MFW