MIU MIU AUTUMN/WINTER 2007-8

MIU MIU
With Miu Miu in last place on the schedule, there was no danger of Fashion Month going out without a bang and Miuccia Prada gave us all something to think about and discuss at length at our post-show dinners last night.

First question: will you pull your coral nylon tights over your waistband and tuck your cardigan into them next winter? "I loved it!" said stylist Charlotte Stockdale. "The tights were fabulous and the shoes were rocking. There was a sort of strange Fifties futurism about it as if the models were perfectly beautiful aliens. And I loved the really full skirts. If you're going to wear something that full and attention-grabbing, I think you should really go all the way." Matt nude and peachy pink lipsticks gave the models' faces a blankness that let us imagine they were alien - perhaps that's why they committed such fashion faux pas as no slips inder pink and orange gauzy skirts or blouses and the aforementioned tights - though in fact the band of nylon at the waist gave a clever slash of coral to nude and camel-coloured Fifties skirt-and-cardie combos. Miuccia Prada simply has a knack of making must-have what, for anyone else, would seem geeky at best. The "rocking" shoes (they are always a hit - nine pairs of the current season's double-strapped Mary Janes were spotted in one row alone), had brogue detailing, clusters of crystals up the heel or leather frills facing up the foot - and were all worn with fawn school socks. Cashmere suits in grey and camel had pinched waists, exaggerated hips and stiff, full skirts. No little sister to Prada this, the Miu Miu girl is cutting edge and confidently experimental - a glittering lame tweed for a stunning dark blue coat, leather suits that matched the models' lips and twinsets and full skirts of sheer, translucent, stiff nylon, that showed a ghostly x-ray impression of their limbs inside. The delicate colour palette of vanilla, tan, grey, peach, coral and baby pink gave this collection a Stepford Wives femininity, while Last Of The Summer Wine padded nylon housecoats added old lady kookiness that only a Miu Miu chick can pull off. It brought Fashion Month to an end, but as usual with Miuccia, it felt like this was just the beginning.