Lorenzo Serafini will make his formal debut at Philosophy during Milan fashion week, but he was in New York recently to show the label's Pre-Fall offering to buyers. Philosophy is Alberta Ferretti's little sister line. It's always had her name on the tag inside. Now you'll find Serafini's there. That's a strong endorsement from Signora F. and a sign that parent company Aeffe believes in this Dolce & Gabbana and Roberto Cavalli veteran. The collection suggested that this trust is well placed. A decade and a half working behind the scenes in Italy has given Serafini a good nose for trends. He sniffed out the early-'70s thing that has been happening and showed an electric red shearling over a little printed silk dress and sheer black hose that had echoes of Yves Saint Laurent. There were shades of YSL in a full-skirted halter dress with a scarf neck and thin chain belt as well. Pants were high-waisted and fitted and topped by snug cropped sweaters worn with frilly silk shirts underneath. Serafini explained, "Philosophy represents femininity, lightness, and sophistication, and these are values that I'm really into." The red-and-white lace print of a tie-neck blouse and long skirt was lifted from a centuries-old scarf. The designer hinted that there'd be more prints on the runway; he's got a nice eye for them.
