Prete&Bruno F/W 2012: "Unstoppable Glamour"

Italian glamour comes to New York by way of Salvatore Prete and Filippo Bruno and their namesake brand Prete & Bruno. Using Hollywood icons stars like Marlene Dietrich and Grace Kelly as inspiration; their elegance and timeless beauty, Prete & Bruno pays homage to that era of glamour and opulence in their Fall/Winter 2012 collection.

Feminine silhouettes in hues of gold and emerald green set in classic black create a collection of modern and sophisticated ready-to-wear ensembles that reflect touches of couture construction. From the velvet black dress with emerald green silk lining and high front slit and low back scoop, to the shimmering sequined gold dress and the tweed suits, Prete & Bruno shows how Italian elegance is done.

Exuding Italian luxury at its finest, Prete & Bruno introduced one stunning piece after another to the surprise of the audience and it would be an understatement to say that one was amazed by the collection. Though the colors were a bit lacking, I still felt it added to the consistency of the collection; it gave it a great continuity where each look fit into the collection rather than looking misplaced as some pieces of other collection tend to have.

I also have to note that though the collection is for Fall/Winter 2012, every piece was so light weight and airy that it can easily transition into spring, from its bright emerald green color to sheer fabrics all contribute to this transitional fashion quite well.

Emilio Cavallini F/W 2012 : Risque Business

It's easy to cross the boundaries between sexy+trashy and sexy+classy, and with Emilio Cavallini it's clear that sexy+classy+edgy can all be married harmoniously. The Italian based lingerie designer Cavallini shows how lingerie can be transformed into a ready to wear garment by simply editing in another piece such as a skirt, a top, or a jacket and how a well crafted undergarment can be readily worn and in fact enhance an entire ansemble.
After the presentation a few attendees, myself included, discussed how there is such a fine line between 'canal street' or 'madison avenue' worthy lingerie, and we all agreed how Emilio Cavallini's designs feel high end and epitomizes the essence of true 'Italian Sexiness' refined yet very alluring.
One of my favorite piece was the jewel detailed control top and complementing stockings. It's such an unexpected piece amongst the lace, sheer, and paisely designs of the rest of the collection, and it's an eye catching piece with a little bit of bling to grab one's attention.