DOLCE & GABBANA A/W 2013

Perhaps the collection that best encapsulated the decadent spirit of Milan Fashion Week was the latest offering from fashion legends Dolce & Gabbana. Featuring over 70 looks as well as appearances from model talent such as Karlie Kloss and Daphne Groeneveld, the whole experience supplied the audience with unrivalled extravagance from the very first look. The duo also succeeded in taking their signature religious iconography and intricate embroidery and mixing them with new elements such as a more restricted and mosaic-print in order to develop a more sophisticated aesthetic. 

The collection also focused heavily on the idea of juxtaposition. Imbalanced silhouettes were a key look for this season, showing that the duo have moved away from the hourglass silhouette for which they are renowned into more experimental territory. For example, bejewelled gold gowns featured oversized cap sleeves, whilst narrow skirts were teamed with voluminous separates to create a striking look. Later in the show came the house's foray into a more masculine look than we usually see, taking stiff menswear fabrics such as herringbone and tweed and crafting beautiful suits - the duo kept the silhouettes as feminine as possible, using cropped jackets, pencil skirts and subtle peplums to accentuate the female form and toy with the concept of gender roles. 

The collection also provided what is sure to become the must-have footwear of the season. Proving that attention to detail is just as important as the overall aesthetic, on closer inspection the heels of shoes were inspired by the traditional Italian garden - golden bars were decorated with twisting vines and colourful flowers, thus establishing the cult accessory of the season. 

The collection drew to a close with a series of ultra-feminine lace dresses, all in the same striking pillarbox red hue, yet all subtly different in their own way. Once again, the designers showed an impeccable eye for detail - the pieces ranged from an exquisite lace coat with laser-cut flowers to an incredible tailored midi dress painstakingly embroidered with blood-red jewels. The collection succeeded in reigniting the sense of fantasy into fashion, and the quality of the clothes was breathtaking, with couture-like detail being incorporated into all of the looks, providing a look that was ridiculously decadent yet ultimately wearable. All in all, the pair undoubtedly raised the standards, creating one of the greatest collections of their career as well as the undisputed highlight of Milan Fashion Week. Although I will reserve judgement until the end of Paris Fashion Week, it doesn't seem too presumptuous to declare this the highlight of the entire season.