Milan had a fabulous fashion week which broke the grim previous seasons to bring us optimism and a defined look to the future. The major trend players Gucci, Prada and Versace didn’t disappoint. SHINE rounds off Milan Fashion Week with a look at the top Italian fashion houses.

A hot trend to come out for SS 2010 is white and Gucci opened their show with the same. Frida Giannini showed us an ultra glamourous, slight sci-fi and almost sporty look. The collection set a modern tone which Giannini seemed to sometimes avoid in previous seasons but it radiated energy and youth from start to finish while still encapsulating the Gucci girl with parachute jackets and crocodile bikers.

We see the little black dress with mess paneling, high waisted leggings teamed with jackets all cut to hug the body bringing a chic sexy feel which is enough to go from daytime to playtime. Muted hues of white and grey where orange added a playful flare in almost tribal patterns all adorned with metallic belts which made for a simplistic, but alluring look.

Every season I think the same, Frida Giannini finest to date, but this was a truly brilliant collection which appeals to the core Gucci It girl and a new generation of style setters keeping the fashion house fresh and revitalized with an eye on the future.

Miuccia Prada is usually known for her more complex stories and broody undertones but this season sees a straightforward collection for the “how life is today” girl which made a refreshing change and captures todays mood perfectly. We see business dress with angular lines combined with raw edges which pushed for classical combined with modernity.

There was a beach feel with prints including palm trees and beach umbrellas taken from images of a man made resort in Japan. The bermudas added the raw edge which seemed to play precisely on current affairs and added a slight Prada under current however understated.

Her SS 2010 collection is teaming with wearable Prada with most designs minimal and chic but for the true Prada fans we see crystal embroidered tops, adding the show stopping pieces that make up the core Prada we all love.

Donatella Versace drew her inspiration for SS 2010 from Tim Burton’s new film Alice in Wonderland. We see a collection full as pastels and geometric prints teamed with short skirts and sexy chain-mail. The classy style was inspiring with glossy hair and sexy long legs which overcame the previous ‘grown up’ seasons to reveal a Donatella all on her own rather than the nineties Gianni we expect from Versace.

The skirts are truly super mini but rather than coming across as tacky, the Versace of today made the whole look effortlessly chic and playful. The colors are vivid and optimistic which made the collection fresh and standout from the rest of milan Fashion Week. The suits are body hugging and wearable while marking a change from previous seasons. The core Versace girl will be eager to embrace the new season and glam up spring.

Milan had an unmistakable air of optimism and there is plenty of fresh collections to embrace and invigorate. A fantastic season to look forward to. SHINE will be bringing you the top 10 hit lists to keep you up to date for spring/summer 2010.

Copyright notice: Photos by Marcio Madeira, source style.com. All models are represented by respective agencies. Text by Jason Stringer for SHINE Magazine.