When a model trots by carrying a bag that reads "Fashion is full of chic," you know you're not in for an intellectual exercise. Or maybe it was the giant pink backlit heart from which the girls emerged that said young, feel-good, fun. Rosella Jardini's Moschino Cheap & Chic collection took its inspiration from that era in the sixties when the mods were mixing with the flower children. To start with, there were floral prints: little daisies on a short ruffle-neck dress and big ones on ruched chiffon numbers; a couple of straw hats even came with petal brims. Inspired by the American artist Jim Dine, Jardini added patchworks of bright Pop colors—orange, blue, red, and yellow—to the story line, as seen on an A-line double-breasted jacket as well as a wrap blouse worn with black-and-white checked bloomers.
Keeping with the youthquake theme, hemlines were either ultrashort or grazed the models' satin flats. And the other accessories were just as cheeky. In addition to the aforementioned tote, there was a bag in hot pink with "Shocking" scribbled across it, and a nameplate necklace to match. The collection might have been as light as the giant organza carnations that decorated the models' shoes, but that would seem to fit with the prevailing mood. When it comes to having escapism on the brain, Jardini has plenty of company so far this young fashion week in Milan.
