Aquilano e Rimondi S/S 2010 / MFW / Day four

Italians do it better — exquisite fabrics, that is. Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi certainly followed that notion in their sumptuous collection. It was filled with opulent Italian brocades that channeled Monet, Gaudi and the Orient, developed exclusively for the designers via old and forgotten techniques. They came in deep jewel tones; some were laminated with gold and silver, and others, as in the white-collared shirtdress, worked in a subtle patchwork form. The motifs — from Majolica tile flowers to soft paisleys and water lilies — gussied up frisky bubble skirts, bustier dresses and safari jackets. Some were showered with rosettes, pearls, ruffles and beads. If it all sounds excessive for the times, it’s with good reason. “To hell with the crisis,” mused Rimondi backstage. “We want Italian-style joie de vivre to come back.” Luckily, the duo also developed a more commercial version of the lineup.



















































© by WWD / Photos by Dominique Maitre