Buying Trip in Italy - Head Designers Fashion Blog

Thu, 18 Mar 10

Last month our head designer Fiona Anchal went on an adventurous buying trip across Italy. During the trip Fiona updated Twitter followers and Facebook fans live to experience Italy's fashion culture with her. Read on for the full journey across the beautiful country that is home to the fashion capital of the world...  

 Monday 8^th February 2010 - Rome

Day one in Rome - Elegance and class surrounds me reminding me why it is Italy we choose to import most our product from.

Tuesday 9^th February – Rome

My observations whilst walking from Rome

• Colour of the season is navy. In all shades - French navy, smoked navy and light navy. Navy is the new black.
• The button down collar for men is shown in Italy as a great non-tie alternative shirt this season.
• Big three-button collar shirts worn with great style throughout Italy sitting proudly under a jacket or V neck vest.

Wednesday 10^th February – Rome

Italian architecture is a resemblance of the fine details that show through in all aspects of Italian culture from food to clothing.

Thursday 11^th February - Umbria

Walking through a small country town in Umbria called Spoletto, it is evident even in the countryside the Italians epitomise elegance.

Europe may be in recession but the Italians don’t compromise on their true passion and love for fashion.

Friday 12^th February – Perugia

Just walked by a traditional Italian shirt boutique offering child’s made to measure shirts. Shirt Studio will soon introduce concept in Australia.

Winter fashion in Italy boasts colour with deep purples, and fuchsia pink.

Monday 15^th February - Bologna

Leaving the Italian countryside for Bologna a city where the much loved Bolognese sauce was created.

Wednesday 18^th February – Milan

Just arrived in Milan and the place looks and feels like the fashion capital of the world. The style, the beauty, the elegance.

This is the fashion capital and it is here most of our Shirt Studio business occurs. Visiting the Shirt Avenue fair where the best of the best in Italian Mills present their new collection.

Only in Milan will you see dogs flaunting pet fashion brands with style!

Thursday 19^th February – Milan (Shirt Avenue)

Just started the Milano Fair showing and all the big guns are here from Brioni, Canali, and Zegna. So exciting to be part of the best.

First showing Monti fabric mill and the colours are wild and exciting. Great range of checks and multi-use stripes. Get ready for the next season! When colour starts to inject back into fashion you know we are getting out of a recession. That is what is being said at the fair this year.

Friday 20^th February – Milan (Shirt avenue)

Second viewing at favourite mill. Talking to the head designer of the fabrics - orange and yellow will be the colour of the next season.

Great new two-sided fabrics being shown for the next season. Blue on one side, purple on the other needs to be seen. Get ready for some fresh new shirt designs with a two-tone stripe down the front - something that needs to be seen.

I forget all the inspiration this town gives me. This will be a season to remember.

In summary the next season is all about colour, colour, colour - that is what is being shown! Pastels are out this season and bright colours are in. The next season is showing versatility in a way you can use the shirt for work and for the weekend. Stripes are still presenting strong but checks seem the flavour of the new season.