GIORGIO ARMANI, DOLCE & GABBANA, PRADA, PAUL SMITH and THOM BROWNE

Close-cut Silhouettes, Understated Luxe and a New Unconventionality Echoed Complex Times. Pared-back, Stripped-back and Restrained was Most Designers’ Take on S/S 2027.

At Dolce & Gabbana

Image Credit Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiane

Scorchingly hot on the heels of Pitti Uomo, Milan Menswear Fashion Week set the Italian fashion capital ablaze during a week of uncanny temperatures, with innovation, new palettes, textures and moods.

It was an Italian Ode to Spring and Summer, with many references to Mediterranean sun-soaked holidays, cocktail-sipping and long, lazy, leisurely days. Which demanded a certain suave, gentlemanly wardrobe, of course.

A blockbuster collection of designers, from Italian stalwarts Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Tod’s and Giorgio Armani to those further afield – the likes of Paul Smith (who will turn 80 next month), Ralph Lauren (back in Milan after a hiatus) and Thom Browne (who made a rather theatrical return debut to Milan) all vied for ‘wow’-factor on the runways.

On the whole styling was deliberately light, textures airy, silhouettes simple – no-fuss and generally pared-down. In fact, there was a constant pull and push between luxury and indulgence and practical modesty. Responding to a world seeking clarity, perhaps?

Most designers were sensitive to this austere mood of the moment. What may have been considered self-indulgent offerings in past seasons were downplayed this season, but thankfully neither complexity nor allure was compromised. Predictably some designers like Dolce & Gabbana showed less restraint, boldly showcasing their signature embellishments.

As for trends, after many seasons of oversized dominance, the silhouette was slimming down. Tailoring was light and close-cut. ‘Ventilation’ (lace, cut-outs, woven, perforated and transparent fabrics, breathable leather, unbuttoned shirts, micro-sized shorts etc.) was a feature. And rather peculiarly, summer leather was a big trend (see Prada, Tod’s, Dolce & Gabbana and Philipp Plein).

Oh, and suits are very much back in vogue! Paul Smith offered a particularly handsome set of suits for the fashionable man. The tailored suit remained a mainstay at Milan, albeit somewhat adapted for a warmer planet.

We invite you to sit back and enjoy our picks of the best of the best. Cocktail in hand, of course.

GIORGIO ARMANI

Watch Giorgio Armani’s Show here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yi0EDdVb_A

An rather emotive show was held at the epic open-air courtyard of Palazzo Orsini, with creative director Leo Dell’Orco at the helm after the recent passing of legend Giorgio Armani.

The collection was aptly entitled Mercato Mediterraneo, and every fibre was an impassioned ode to the landscapes of the Med. Ocean blues, for example, were juxtaposed with sandy desert shades. This collection was aimed at the contemporary, quietly confident Armani man who embraces travel as a normal extension of life.

The palette consisted of the softest sun-blushed colours and the texture of the linen, washed-out silk and faded denim was crumpled, slubby and looked well-worn in, in the best of ways. Tailoring that truly moves with the body.

Safari jackets, unstructured blazers, cardigan-jackets, tailored collarless shirts, pleated trousers and other relaxed pieces echoed the signature Giorgio Armani

brand, but looked even more airy, minimalist and weightless than we’ve seen previously.

The Armani has always been irresistible, and the crowd lapped up every moment that Dell’Oro somehow managed to make looking cool look not only effortless but also elegant in the unprecedented Milan heatwave.

Giorgio Armani

Giorgio Armani

Giorgio Armani

Giorgio Armani

Giorgio Armani

Giorgio Armani

Giorgio Armani

Giorgio Armani

THOM BROWNE

Watch Thom Browne’s Show here: 

What anticipation in Milan to host Thom Browne again after an 18-year absence! The famous gardens of the architectural Palazzo Serbelloni on Corso Venezia were decorated with a grid of 400 vases of aromatic striped roses, mimicking the designer’s characteristic precision.

In typical Thom Browne fashion, the impeccable tailoring of the jackets, blazers, coats, ties and trousers was the backbone of a collection that was uncharacteristically light, easy and super fun. Take the textures, for example: an array of airy cotton weaves and cashmere knits effortlessly rubbed shoulders with wool, plaid and even nylon.

Although best known for his sensational pleated man-skirts, this time tailored trousers, shorts and jeans also featured strongly. Crisp poplin shirts came with collars and cuffs that could be removed, coats were sleeveless and blazers came with short sleeves – all very unconventional and tongue-in-cheek.

As for colour, Thom Browne’s favourite shades of grey, white, navy and red rubbed shoulders with pastels – sky blue, light green and pink. As ever, a Thom Browne offering is an intimate look into the designer’s very specific repertoire of relaxed but controlled sophistication. As a rule Thom Browne’s collections are polished and precise, hence it was refreshing to see Browne letting his hair down a little to present a battered grey biker’s jacket with plenty attitude.

Nature was one of the designer’s key inspirations for this collection, and endearing beasties – embroidered frogs, bees, crickets, ants and dragonflies added a magical and organic touch to this collection. It was like witnessing a set of treasured, personal family heirlooms!

As the collection progressed from bright shades to monochromatic ones, and finally to pure virginal white looks, the very last look was unforgettable: a bride in a pearl tulle veil and grosgrain ribbon took centre stage. This is dramatic storytelling at its very best, from one of the best fashion narrators of our time.

Thom Browne

Thom Browne

Thom Browne

Thom Browne

Thom Browne

Thom Browne

Thom Browne

Thom Browne

Thom Browne

Thom Browne

Thom Browne

Thom Browne

PRADA

Watch Prada’s Show here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_hemr5WPQk

Perhaps the best way to illustrate the ethos behind Prada’s latest collection is by citing co-creator Raf Simon’s likening it to Pasta Pomodoro (pasta with tomato sauce): classic, humble, basic, simple… and unbeatable.

For many seasons we’ve witnessed Prada stripping away ‘unnecessary’ bits in their designs. Simplistic, classic, no-fuss, free from exaggeration and superfluous embellishment or detail, Prada has been re-evaluating and reimagining pieces season after season to become more slim-fitting, close-cut and shrunken, really.

Part of this stripping away of the superfluous, is the focus on garments that are constants, a kind of an un-dateable fashion capsule: the likes of jeans, T-shirts and denim jackets. Miuccia Prada pointed out that jeans have universally been worn by factory workers and sailors for centuries.

These pieces are genderless and ageless. The skinniness and body-hugging quality of the ensembles emits a certain youthfulness and gives Rock and Roll vibes – think The Beatles and Rolling Stones of the 1960s.

Any designer worth their salt will admit it’s more difficult to create something simplistic from a basic piece of fabric than to make a striking evening gown from a luxurious piece of silk. In true Prada fashion, this forward-thinking couple have consistently chosen the harder, more intellectual design path of eliminating – not adding.

That’s not to say everything in the collection was without its quirks. Offbeat shades like turquoise, lemon yellow, anise-green and poison pink added a certain quality, as did the Wes Anderson retro ‘curtain’ prints and jacquard weaves on the knits. Oh, and no blue jeans allowed!

It’s all inimitably Prada, and as a self-confessed groupie, what’s not to love?

Prada

Prada

Prada

Prada

Prada

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Prada

Prada

Prada

DOLCE & GABBANA

Watch Dolce & Gabbana’s Show here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g44qLmfcco

Are you vacation-ready? If not, the inimitable Domenico and Stefano would happily transport you to their native Sicily – a constant source of inspiration and the signature aesthetic for the duo for almost 4 decades, with their collection Vacanze Siciliane.

In the sweltering Milan heatwave a giant screen blatantly seduced attendees with the shimmering turquoise waters of Taormina and Isola Bella. Picturesque Sicily, an island with many historical layers – from the Greeks and Romans to the Arabs and Spanish – inspired Dolce & Gabbana yet again. This time they celebrated the island’s many tactile crafts and traditions.

Summer was lauded with crochet knits, cut-out linen co-ords, citrus motifs and opulent embellishments inspired by the island’s Baroque architecture and coral reefs.

Soft, fluid trouser suits, ripped jeans from the early 2000s, crochet polo shirts, postcard-inspired prints, tailored linen jackets – all embellished with jewels as sparkling as the waters of the Med, oozed relaxed luxe and unadulterated Summer vibes.

In truth, if one could package and sell Summer, this was it. And arguably nobody can do it as convincingly as the sultry, sexy Dolce & Gabbana.

Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana

PAUL SMITH

Watch Paul Smith’s Show here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmLT0_nm2aI

Suits are Paul Smith’s ‘thing’. As the designer – and a man who’s been donning suits all his life – turns 80 next month, it’s befitting to note that his Spring collection stays true to form and still celebrates the suit in all its renditions.

The silhouette this season was somewhat softer than in past offerings, and the quest for exotic textiles extended as far as a tropical weave produced in Scotland and Habotai silk from the Far East.

Tailoring seemed much more fluid and casual – in fact, some suits were totally unlined, cuffs were turned up, shirts unbuttoned and ties relaxed. Colourful knits and fun prints added to the British quirkiness of the offering. Boxy Hawaiian shirts, slouchy trousers, Bermudas and crossbody sling bags looked like clothes one would love to live, work and play in.

As for colours, dusty naturals like ecru, grey, charcoal and taupe formed the backbone of the collection, but colour pops of chartreuse, apple green and aubergine lifted ensembles no end. Socks in purple and lemon yellow upped the quirkiness ante.

This collection confirms why legendary Brit brand Paul Smith has stood the test of time. It’s also testament to the fact that fashion ought to remain playful even when the key actors in the play – the suits – are supposed to be all grown-up.

Paul Smith

Paul Smith

Paul Smith

Paul Smith

Paul Smith

Paul Smith

Paul Smith

Paul Smith

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Our daily workwear reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.

I’m going to need everyone to ignore the terrible hemming on these trousers just for a moment while we really focus on the gorgeous color. Argent is known for making fabulous suits in surprising colors (do we all remember the hot pink suit in 2020?), so I’m not surprised that they’re cranking out beautiful pants in a variety of colors.

I’ve been on a colorful streak lately, so I’d pair these with a light blue oxford shirt or a bright yellow short-sleeved sweater to really keep that up, but they would also pair nicely with neutrals like navy, black, and camel. 

The pants are $350 at Argent and come in sizes 0-14. They also come in taupe, soft pink, and maya blue.

Sales of note for 6/26:

• Amazon Prime Day is still continuing! You can check out our roundup here… Also don’t forget that sister site Shopbop is offering 25% off a lot of great brands if you link your Prime account, including brands like A.L.C., Aeyde, Alex Mill, Alice & Olivia, Anine Bing, Barefoot Dreams, Beyond Yoga, Birkenstock, Black Halo, Clare V., Cult Gaia, Farm Rio, Ferragamo, Frank & Eileen, Jenni Kayne, La Ligne, Marine Layer, Nili Lotan, Printfresh (!), rag & bone, RAILS, STAUD, Stuart Weitzman, Theory, TWP, Veronica Beard, Vince, White & Warren, Xirena, and Z-Supply
• Nordstrom – Designer clearance, up to 60% off!
• Alexis Bittar – End of season sale, up to 50% off
• Another Tomorrow – Seasonal sale, 50% off select styles
• Ann Taylor – Semi-annual sale! 300+ new markdowns, extra 50% off al sale styles Readers love this blouse and I always love the variety of colors/textures for this jacket (it’s a great separate)
• Athleta – Semi-annual sale, up to 60% off reader favorites like Brookyn and Endless pants, and the Pranayama wrap is marked down to $55
• AYR – Ooh, good sale section — but lots on final sale. Readers love (LOVE) these comfy work pants and these jeans.
• Banana Republic – Up to 60% off sale styles
• Boden – Summer sale, up to 50% off – readers love these dresses, these blazers, and the brand’s fun suiting
• COS – New pieces added to sale, up to 50% off
• DeMellier – Summer sale: Final Reductions
• The Fold – Up to 50% off, further markdowns
• Hobbs – Up to 50% off, extra 20% off sale
• J.Crew – Summer sale – extra 50% off all sale styles
• J.Crew Factory – 50% off all stores and sitewide, plus 60% off clearance
• Jenni Kayne – Semi-annual warehouse sale
• Lo & Sons – Summer sale, up to 50% off
• Lululemon – Summer sale!
• Margaux – Save up to 50% off, including archive sale
• M.M.LaFleur – Fourth of July sale! 70% off occasion styles (Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off on other items)
• Nordstrom Rack – Clearance, new arrivals up to 75% off! Nice selection of Vince, Veronica Beard, Reiss and Rag & Bone, a ton of affordable work dresses from Calvin Klein, Maggy London, Eliza J, and Donna Morgan
• Ruti – Semi-annual sale, up to 70% off!
• Sarah Flint – 30% off select styles (we just ranked these shoes as some of our top 10 most comfortable heel brands)
• Splendid – Up to 60% off women’s sale!
• Strathberry – Up to 20% off select styles
• Stuart Weitzman – Summer styles now up to 40% off
• Talbots – 40% off your purchase and 6/26 only: 50% off all T by Talbots
• Veronica Beard – Extra 25% off sale

OUTFIT DETAILS: Givenchy Dress, Miu Miu Flats, Valentino Bag, Sherman Field Chain & Arielle Ratner Pendant

Few things get my girls more excited than hearing we have dinner plans to look forward to, especially when it means getting a little dressed up. Summer evenings have a way of making even a simple reservation feel special, with warm air, pretty dresses, and a slower pace that makes this season particularly sweet. I rounded up pieces for both mothers and daughters that capture that feeling, with bright colors, cheerful prints, and silhouettes made for twirling through the evening.

Summer dinner plans never have to be overly formal to still feel like an occasion. A bold color can do all the work, a great print can set the mood, and even the simplest dress feels transformed by a favorite restaurant, a table outside, and the joy of being together with family.

Some nights you just have to stop and soak it all in.

BET Awards weekend kicked off with a beautifully curated evening honoring the legendary music executive Sylvia Rhone. Hosted by Mona Productions and Mona Scott-Young and supported by the Black Music Collective, the night was a love letter to Black music, culture, and the women who have shaped it.

For those who may not know, Sylvia Rhone is one of the most powerful and trailblazing executives in the history of the music industry. As President of Epic Records, she has championed some of the biggest names in music, from Beyoncé to Travis Scott. A graduate of the Wharton School of Business, Rhone became the first Black woman to head a major record label when she was appointed CEO of EastWest Records in 1994 — a milestone that paved the way for generations of Black women in the music business. Her decades of service to the culture have been nothing short of historic, and an evening in her honor was long overdue.

The night featured remarks by none other than Missy Elliott, who credits Sylvia Rhone for her music career. Apparently Missy wanted to have her own label, but Rhone encouraged Missy to give her just one album–which turned into 5! The world is grateful for Sylvia Rhone indeed!

Performances by Stevie Wonder, Jozzy, and Terrell Music kept the night moving — and yes, when Stevie Wonder took the stage, the room felt every single note (even though he sang that he didn’t feel like singing).

For the occasion, I wore a red leather trench coat look by Althea Mink, styled with Norma Kamali shorts, red stockings, and Steve Madden heels — a full-red moment that felt right for a night this special. Makeup was by the Latrice Johnson, and hair was coiffed by Kalief W using Kendras Boutique Hair.

Nights like this are a reminder of why we do what we do. Here’s to Sylvia Rhone, to Black music, and to even more magic this BET Awards weekend. 💣

To have me wear your brand to an upcoming event, email book@clairesulmers.com.

Photo Credit: @iamtishhabrenee

OUTFIT DETAILS: Libertine Coat, Comme Si Shirt (more sizes here), ALC Shorts, Hermes Bag (similar here), Chanel Sandals, Retrosuperfuture Sunglasses (old, similar here), Sherman Field Necklaces

It might sound like it shouldn’t work, but my go-to pattern to mix with stripes is more stripes. The one trick I find works best is finding a common thread through color, one shade that runs through both palettes, so that even completely different stripe scales still feel cohesive.

Stripes on stripes feels right at home in summer, when getting dressed is a little less serious and a little more joyful. A striped shirt with striped shorts, a colorful cover-up over a striped swimsuit, or a striped tote thrown into the mix somehow feels more interesting than relying on a single print alone.

The most memorable outfits, I find, are the ones you look at and your first thought is “that shouldn’t work,” but somehow it does. And more often than not, a stripes on stripes look is exactly how you get there.

This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Something on your mind? Chat about it here.

I mentioned this Staud bag yesterday when rounding up the ShopBop portion of the Amazon Prime sale, and it’s still on my mind…

TL;DR: if you have a Prime account, you can get 25% off at Shopbop when you link your account. What was interesting to me is that it seems to work on top of existing markdowns like this Staud bag.

The bag was $350, was then marked to $245, and comes down another 25% off in the cart if you link your accounts and use the code. That might be on the pricier side for a mostly nylon bag, but I’ve never been mad about a lightweight and stylish bag.

Other good brands I’m seeing in the ShopBop/Prime sale: A.L.C., Aeyde, Alex Mill, Alice & Olivia, Anine Bing, Barefoot Dreams, Beyond Yoga, Birkenstock, Black Halo, Clare V., Cult Gaia, Farm Rio, Ferragamo, Frank & Eileen, Jenni Kayne, La Ligne, Marine Layer, Nili Lotan, Printfresh (!), rag & bone, RAILS, STAUD, Stuart Weitzman, Theory, TWP, Veronica Beard, Vince, White & Warren, Xirena, and Z-Supply.

Sales of note for 6/25:

• Amazon Prime Day has started! You can check out our roundup here… Also don’t forget that sister site Shopbop is offering 25% off a lot of great brands if you link your Prime account, including brands like A.L.C., Aeyde, Alex Mill, Alice & Olivia, Anine Bing, Barefoot Dreams, Beyond Yoga, Birkenstock, Black Halo, Clare V., Cult Gaia, Farm Rio, Ferragamo, Frank & Eileen, Jenni Kayne, La Ligne, Marine Layer, Nili Lotan, Printfresh (!), rag & bone, RAILS, STAUD, Stuart Weitzman, Theory, TWP, Veronica Beard, Vince, White & Warren, Xirena, and Z-Supply
• Nordstrom – 25% off clearance! Nice selection of Vince, Veronica Beard, Boss, Theory, Beyond Yoga, and Zella
• Another Tomorrow – Seasonal sale, 50% off select styles
• Ann Taylor – 25% off new arrivals! Readers love this blouse and I always love the variety of colors/textures for this jacket (it’s a great separate)
• Athleta – 30-60%off reader favorites like Brookyn and Endless pants, and the Pranayama wrap is marked down to $55
• AYR – Ooh, good sale section — but lots on final sale. Readers love (LOVE) these comfy work pants and these jeans.
• Bare Necessities – Semi-annual sale, up to 70% off, plus get an additional 40% off clearance swim. Readers have sung the praises of these cooling pajamas and their bra-sized swimwear
• Boden – Summer sale, up to 50% off
• Evereve – 20% off dresses!
• J.Crew – Extra 15% off your purchase (on top of up to 50% off select styles)
• J.Crew Factory – Extra 60% off clearance – readers love their schoolboy blazers and sweaters, and they have a great selection of summer suiting in the sale. Ooh, and these scallop-trim t-shirts have major Boden vibes.
• Jenni Kayne – Semi-annual warehouse sale
• M.M.LaFleur – Archive sale! (Try code CORPORETTE15 for 15% off on other items)
• Nordstrom Rack – Clearance, new arrivals up to 75% off! Nice selection of Vince, Veronica Beard, Reiss and Rag & Bone, a ton of affordable work dresses from Calvin Klein, Maggy London, Eliza J, and Donna Morgan
• Ruti – Semi-annual sale, up to 70% off!
• Splendid – Up to 60% off women’s sale!
• Talbots – 6/25: Flash sale, all markdowns 60% off two or more, 50% off one, and 40% off the rest of your purchase