There was a lot of attitude at the Milan Fashion Week’s shows this season, which spoke to a sense of defiance towards ongoing world events. This was felt in the presence of side-partings at Fendi, Giorgio Armani and Valentino, after the style was ceremoniously “cancelled” on TikTok a week earlier. And again in the bold, graphic eyes at Moschino and Max Mara. It was even felt in the e-girl hues at Dolce & Gabbana and non-conformist sci-fi references at Salvatore Ferragamo.
Elsewhere, minimal make-up made a case for natural beauty, and last season’s fringe mania was back in full force, with almost every kind on show. Here are the top hair, make-up and beauty trends from the Milan Fashion Week AW21 shows
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The trend: part to the side
Where we’ve seen it:
Fendi, Alberta Ferretti, Valentino, Zanini, Giorgio Armani
What you need to know:
Last month, a group of teenagers got together on TikTok to herald the death of the side parting—condemning it as nothing but a style for “old people”. Thankfully, legendary hairstylist Guido Palau disagrees, putting it front and centre at Fendi. Swept across the face and pinned with hair slides, the style felt youthful and fresh. Likewise at Valentino, where the style was worn with varying lengths of bobs, and at Alberta Ferretti, where it was styled in an asymmetrical crop. Don’t believe everything you see on TikTok.
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The trend: graphic eyes
Where we’ve seen it:
Max Mara, Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini, Moschino
What you need to know:
‘Accentuate the eyes’ is a message we’ve been hearing a lot recently in the wake of masks and facial coverings. And with plenty of inspiration on show this season, it shouldn’t be too difficult. Take your cues from longtime Moschino collaborator Kabuki who gave old-Hollywood glamour a graphic twist for the house, with bold black lines around the eyes and white eyeliner. Or look to Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini, where graphic outlines and curling flicks brought a bit of gravitas and edge to otherwise nostalgic schoolgirl looks.
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The trend: fringe mania
Where we’ve seen it:
Dolce & Gabbana, Emilio Pucci, Valentino, Salvatore Ferragamo, Sportmax
What you need to know:
Once again, there were fringes of all shapes and sizes at the Milan shows. Micro-bangs in electric blue and bubblegum pink at Dolce & Gabbana; effortless corkscrew curls at Marni; precise, eye-grazing cuts at Tod’s and Emilio Pucci, and grown-out fringes at Sportmax and Salvatore Ferragamo. And then, all of the above at Valentino.
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The trend: slicked-back
Where we’ve seen it:
Prada, Ports 1961, Zanini
What you need to know:
When one thinks of slicked-back hair, one immediately thinks of summer—a sleek, streamlined way of keeping hair off the face. But here it is, reimagined for winter at the Milan shows. Take Ports 1961, where gelled hair is pulled back into tight chignons to create a clean, modern day-to-night look, or Prada, where the mood was almost subcultural with sections of hair styled over the ears to create an elfin effect. And then there was Zanini, where side-swept and slicked down felt youthful and feminine.
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The trend: minimal make-up
Where we’ve seen it:
MSGM, Marni, Alberta Ferretti
What you need to know:
There was something very refreshing about the minimal make-up on show this season. A celebration of natural beauty, it felt effortless and relatable. And exactly what the world needs in a global lockdown: to be able to relax into yourself and be comfortable in your own skin.
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The trend: the new statement lip
Where we’ve seen it:
Dolce & Gabbana, Salvatore Ferragamo
What you need to know:
There was an element of the unexpected in Milan and it was found on the lips. Forget the classic reds and seductive berries, this season Dolce & Gabbana referenced TikTok’s e-girl tribe with hues of bright blue and green. Elsewhere, there were subtle sci-fi nods at Salvatore Ferragamo in silver outlined lips.
