A moment before we say arrivederci Milano

Now, the goings on in Milan hardly set my loins ablaze but there were a few bit and bobs which should not be over looked or forgotten all too quickly. It will soon be time to say bonjour Paris (in pure Del Boy style) but before we say arrivederci Milano and dismiss it as a waste of our time, I will pick out a few of the good things that we were treated to these past few days...

Highlight provided by...McQueen, Burberry Prorsum and Les Homme

First up, Alexander McQueen's collection which features splatters and hand prints of paint and looks a whole lot of fun, a breath of fresh air in the face of the stiff collections previously shown in Milan over the weekend. Alongside the relaxed tailored pieces there are a number of potential DIY projects. I was particular taken with the paint splattered lace ups which appears a simpler project than attempting the knock off Prada studded brogues (as shown on Fashion156). Now I've given it some further thought I fancy taking a paint brush to a neutral tailored jacket add splashing on some colour.

Next up, the Burberry Prorsum bondage knit top (or so we all thought) in the softest of pastel shades. These much talked about pieces were not bondage knits at all but were in fact inspired by the straps working men (of a past time) used to sling their coats over their shoulders. Now, the inspiration might not be a dirty as we all initially though but the result is just as damn sexy.

I loved the flowing, luxurious silhouettes of Les Hommes. The drop-crotch pleated and cuffed trousers were of course the highlight. Channeling Lawrence of Arabia, designers Tom Notte and Bart Vandebosch delivered some of the best drop-crotch trousers I think I've ever seen.

Highlight provided by...Marni, Jil Sander and Prada

I loved the look book images from Marni. There was a subtle styling that quietly but consistently suggested an elegant wear ability which really appealed throughout. However, the inner magpie caught sight of the studded tote and wants to take it back to my nest.

Aside from the Dumb&Dumber style bowl cuts, there was a definite sense of romance throughout the Jil sander collection. Instead of tacky fluffy red hearts there was an overriding sense of light and weightlessness that affects us all when we are struck by cupids bow (yes, I am that corny). The most obvious demonstration of this were the sheer shirts which incorporated the eroticism of the early twentieth-century Franco-Japanese artist Tsugoharu Foujita.

Finally, Prada's vision of SS10 was a celebration of grey. There might be a lack of colour in this collection but the hues of grey are far from dull and it more than delivered on the range of fabrics and textures used. Miuccia played with one of the symbols of masculine business power, the grey suit and transforming it by introducing mesh and perforated fabrics from head to toe.

Despite a few grumbles, was Milan really that bad? Regardless of which side of the fence you fall on, here's to a mind blowingly good Paris...