The glory that is Gucci S/S16

Milan Fashion Week kicks off with a bang with the jaw-dropping splendour of Alessandro Michele's new collection

The inspiration may have been all about maps (an ancient 1654 depiction of a fictional land of love, to be exact), but Alessandro Michele once again took us on a voyage to uncharted territory with his Spring '16 collection. As exuberantly eccentric as the retro wonderland that was Gucci Cruise 2016, the collection was unabashedly fantastical, from exaggerated floral motifs and oversized pussy bows to Pop Art-esque details - think cartoon-like bows drawn onto blouses and bejewelled lightning bolts emblazoned on the classic Dionysus bag.

Michele sent models sashaying down the carpeted runway in swirling sequinned skirts, an abundance of ruffles and strikingly sheer blouses and dresses (see-through is emerging as a major S/S '16 trend). The whimsically girly effect was reined in by that Gucci house signature, the weighty green and red stripe, anchoring the hemline of skirts, while pleated silk satin and leather midi skirts and black and gold designs added a level of heady opulence. READ MORE