Donatella Versace's looks for next summer inspire one question: Where's the party?
Versace, thinking of everything, even includes a toga. And there is one very intricately wrapped swimsuit that might have worked as a shot-putter's kit in the ancient Greek Olympics.
The emphasis is on fun, Cuban-style. The colors are soothing Caribbean monochromes: salmon pink, celestial blue and white.
The looks at times evoke tradition, with images of Havana street scenes woven into tops or crocheted squares forming panels in linen shirts. And they inspire a good time, with graphic silhouettes of dancing figures or giant hibiscus trees cut onto leather coats, imposed on jumpsuits and printed on shirts.
Jeans included elaborately worked with laser-cut images of tropical fruit or embroidery of Caribbean foliage.
In a novelty for the Milan runway, models carried backpacks and satchel bags brimming with Versace dishware -- a sure hint that a party is brewing somewhere.
JUMP THE SHARK
No one can say Philipp Plein doesn't know how to throw a party.
The German designer held his preview show around an outdoor swimming pool, and rapper Theophilus London performed on the back of a jet ski while models paraded their wears. The audience was also treated to a synchronized swimming routine and a pair of jet ski acrobats.
Many of the looks were inspired by the Navy, with hand-stitched metal patches covering pants, jackets and sweat suits, ironically. An attacking shark is this season's icon, and comes in a crystal-studded version on a top.
The looks veer from a military clean silhouette to street wear with splashes of graffiti paint on trousers and shorts to preppy jackets with piping or crystal embellishments. All in good fun.