Milan Fashion Week, Fall '09: Dolce & Gabbana

After Miuccia Prada's depressing carpet bag jackets, Dolce & Gabbbana gave me a much-needed jolt of excitement for Fall fashion. Did I love everything they produced? No. The Marilyn Monroe print that showed up on many dresses and skirts smacks of a Chinatown tote. But the Elsa Schiaparelli influence was pure genio. Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana took spring's strong-shouldered trend to new (vertical!) heights with Minnie Mouse look-a-like blazers. Surrealist touches, such as gloves made into scarves and bow clutches transformed into hats, jazzed up the more traditional tuxedo looks and peek-a-boo sheer corset dresses. I especially loved the pairing of contrasting prints, such as polkadots and leopard print.

On my wish list? The classic black trench, with the requisite puffy sleeves, that Anna Jagodzinska rocked as the show opener.

Bee fashionable!