IF any Brits were beginning to feel homesick half way through Milan Fashion Week and the third capital into Fashion Month's four, then Moschino's Rossella Jardini had the answer: her autumn/winter 2013-14 collection, a true ode to the United Kingdom.
"I love everything that is British, I have from the beginning. I always do, anytime," said the designer backstage, who had started with Scotland and its fabrics as her main reference point for the rich and regal tartan opening looks that were distinctly dressage in their appeal: sleek red or green blazers were worn with huge and oversized riding hats and blingy gold earrings - the perfect styling touch. These were Moschino show ponies, and they came with the perfect pony tails tied in black ribbon just so; lean black riding trousers embroidered up the leg in gold; and badge or crest-emblazoned jumpers, jackets and pleat skirts.
There were frill-fronted shirts and a couple of cowgirls spotted too ("Because I love to mix my textures, embroideries and references," said Jardini), in rose-embroidered fringe suedes, but for the most part it was natty blazers and serious coats complete with gold piping all the way.
And to further compound her British love came one of the best play lists we've heard all Fashion Month - a Brit pop hit list of The Verve, Oasis and Blur. Nobody could possible even entertain the thought of being homesick now.
There were a couple of Jardini's punk girls who had obviously escaped from her Cheap & Chic collection in London and there was some masculine Charlie Chaplin tailoring going on for two looks as well.
Bagpipes led the finale procession out: a heightened almost caricatured version of Britian but one we were very pleased to see - just add gold jewellery.
EB
