Versace ‘power woman’ designs, Etro funky nomads in Milan

MILAN / AP

Gigi Hadid drew a crowd to Milan’s Rinascente Department store where she was showing off Tommy Hilfiger’s latest fall-winter collection.
Hundreds of fans showed up, and she obliged some with the chance at a selfie. Hadid leads the pack of “It” models headlining Milan Fashion Week, which was in its third day on Friday.
So far this week, Hadid has walked the runways for Max Mara and Moschino, where she was joined by her sister Bella and Kendall Jenner. Hadid had a little stumble on the Moschino runway when her shoe caught the hemline of a dress fashioned to look like it was recycled from a Persian carpet. With a few high steps, she recovered with aplomb.
Here are some highlights from Friday’s shows, including Emporio Armani, Etro and Versace.

POWER THROUGH POSITIVITY
AT VERSACE
Donatella Versace has long promoted the power women through her uncompromising fashion. On Friday in Milan, she did it again.
Emblazoned on her creations for next fall were key words: Solidarity; Equality; Courage; Unity. The words were embroidered on sheer layers peeking out from under black wool skirts. On the sleeves of blouses. And most symbolically, on patches placed on knit hats that recall the caps worn at recent demonstrations by women across the United States. Versace’s hats weren’t pink and didn’t have cat ears, but the sentiment was unmistakable.
The Versace woman for next season is unapologetically streetwise. She wears a hoodie under her down-to-business suit, refusing to compromise her knowledge, the very definition of equality. “This is a collection about the power of women, and women who know how to use their power,” Versace said in her notes. Versace tapped into all aspects of a woman’s life, from work to play to evening. There were suits for the work day, but always with a streetwear edge, such as a cropped sweater with an open blazer and cropped pants. There were sexy body-hugging dresses that can transition from day to night. And there were pretty floral dresses that had a vaguely battle-fatigue camouflage effect. Sheepskin jackets are fitted, to show the curves.
Versace said the collection “is a call for unity, and the strength that comes from positivity and hope.”
Model Naomi Campbell and Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton took in the show from the front row.
Marco de Vincenzo’s latest collection was down-to-earth in a back-to-the-future way. That goes for both the color palate, which included a series of looks in a well-rubbed coppery sheen and leopard prints, and the back-to-basics nature of the collection, focusing on twists of the classic wardrobe.