No. 21 Fall/Winter 2016 Milan

MILAN, JANUARY 17, 2016

by TIZIANA CARDINI

Genderless style has become an all-the-rage trend; almost every designer, from the high to the low, has already tapped into it. For Fall, Alessandro Dell’Acqua offered his personal interpretation, filtered through the lens of his own smart sensibility. His vision is of a masculinity slightly tinged in pink—nothing too radical or cutting-edge. But nothing too predictable either.

“I wanted to express a kinder, gentler masculine side,” the designer said backstage. He proceeded to mix some of his style’s signature feminine elements—a touch of macramé lace, a glimpse of brilliance, the animalier prints, the wrinkled textures, a palette of nude colors—with some military and sporty references. The use of chiffon, lace, crepe de chine, and soft bouclé wool made the message even more clear, layering a hint of sensual undertone. It all blended with a sense of ease, achieving balanced results. To further invigorate the masculine-feminine dialogue, a few looks from No. 21’s women’s pre-collection were introduced as proof of a versatile, across-the-board proposal. This trend has been embraced by quite a few other brands. Will it translate into a more sustainable formula for the fashion system, one that is in dire need of some serious rethought? It remains to be seen, but let’s enjoy the dream of a (hopefully) better future.