Milan Fashion Week Trends: From Puffer Coat Gowns to Ultra-Luxe Fur

Photo Credit: Moncler Genius

With brands like Gucci, Marni, Prada and Versace headlining Milan Fashion Week it’s clear that the city’s sartorial influence will be felt long after the runway shows are over. This season during the MFW Fall 2018 shows, we saw a little bit of everything on the catwalk, from live puppies at Tod’s to replica model heads at Gucci. But one of the most surprising trends to pop up at the event was the popularity of puffer coats, a look that Moncler took to the nth degree with a floor-length puffer coat gown.

This season also presented a fun juxtaposition between the past and present, bringing classic cuts and colors to a modern fashion landscape. Throwback pieces from the ‘80s could be found on the Versace runway where Donatella focused on eccentric prints and cuts while Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini presented the kind of puffy pink sleeves you would only see in a mid-‘80s John Hughes film. To pull fashion into the future, Dolce and Gabbana started the show by forcing its entire audience to disconnect from all Wi-Fi and personal hotspots, allowing for a troop of drones to float down the runway modeling the latest bags and accessories.

Photo Credit: Roberto Cavalli

While strange accessories made us look up and take notice on the catwalk, more wearable trends from this season’s shows included belted waists and oversized blankets. Popular at NYFW and LFW, the oversized blanket scarf/coat was still popular in Milan and was seen everywhere from the clean, tailored cuts at Jil Sanders to the billowing, floor length looks at Missoni. Pair these flowing fabrics with a wide belt to top off the look.

The fabrics at MFW are always some of the most luxe on the runway and this season didn’t disappoint. Alessandro Michele sent out gold leather, heavy embroidery and piles of lush, fabulous fur on the Gucci runway—and he wasn’t the only one. Jil Sanders opted for fur with a bright orange floral print, Roberto Cavalli topped animal prints with thick, plush furs, while Karl Lagerfeld and Silvia Venturi Fendi sent out the fabric emblazoned with the signature double-F at Fendi.