Style trumps fashion at Prada, Pilotto goes to the beach at Milan shows

Prada chose personal style over fashion while Peter Pilotto merged the beach with the ballroom at their catwalk shows on Wednesday, kicking off the first day of Milan fashion Week.

Miuccia Prada, considered an industry trailblazer, presented a spring line she said was about "the power of women over clothing" dressing models in breezy dresses and sharp suits.

A grey sweater and lightweight white skirt opened the Italian luxury label's show, where celebrities including Hollywood stars Nicole Kidman and Regina King as well as rapper A$AP Rocky sat on the front row.

US model Gigi Hadid presents a creation for Prada's Women's Spring Summer 2020 collection in Milan.

There were briefs nods to the 1920s with layered dresses and suits in dark colours or geometric patterns recalled the 1970s.

A leaf embroidery adorned coats, dresses and long pencil skirts while jewellery included shell necklaces and earrings.

Dresses were overall light, colourful ribbed knits came as halterneck tops and pencil skirts. Black coats with white buttons were almost teacher-like. Leather skirts were tied at the waist and dabs of brocade popped up on suits.

"I tried to work so the person is more important than the clothes and the fashion," Prada told reporters.

Actor Nicole Kidman and Editor-in-chief of Vogue Anna Wintour attend the Prada catwalk show.

"It was more about personal style than fashion."

Trousers were wide-legged, worn with jackets with white buttons.

Heels, sandals, platforms, boots and flats as well as bonnet-like hats - colourful, golden or in snakeskin print - completed the looks with Prada's staple handbags.

UK-based Peter Pilotto added "a dose of solar optimism" to the catwalk with a vibrant and colourful collection that merged beach and ballroom inspirations.

A model presents a creation from Peter Pilotto's Spring Summer 2020 collection in Milan.

As well as unveiling their latest womenswear, designer duo Peter Pilotto and Christopher De Vos showcased some new creations for men in the line that included plenty of floral patterns and bright hues - orange, lime, turquoise and pink.

Dresses came in towel-like materials and skirts were reminiscent of sarongs, accessorised with summer hats.

Shirts were large and loose and there were also engineered cropped knit tops and dresses, ribbed skirts, crochet-like cardigans and spacious jackets.

The ballroom theme came in the shape of voluminous skirts synched at the waist, corseted tops and silk gowns worn with sparkling jewellery and stiletto heels.

The designers said they wanted to create an abstract floral painting feel. The mixed designs were also inspired by couples borrowing each other's clothes.

Reuters