DolceVita Fashion: Street-fashion

Fashion hits the pavement...Summer 1999 by Claudio Saponara

Fashion is indeed a curious thing. All of a sudden, trends emerge out of the blue. A few young people, sensitive to the trends of a likewise trendy city, begin to dress in the same way -- to wear a certain accessory or a particular type of garment so different, so innovative, that soon a whole nation of young people pick up on it and follows suit. In Italy, that trend-setting city is Milano, creative funnel for ideas coming out of London, Paris and Berlin. Barefoot through the town…! The foot will out, this year: sporty or elegant, sandals, sling backs, you name it -- the important thing is that the feet are exposed as much as possible. The sensual and seductive foot has been rediscovered! If pedicures and peep-toe shoes represent long-established preferences of many in summer, this year's full exposure is rampant! Jogging shoes, as well, are making a colorful splash this season. Not only are they bolder and brighter than ever before, they're also accessorizing chic, even elegant outfits, no longer restricted to jeans, shorts and jogging suits. It's a widespread trend, perking up the city sidewalks from the bottom up. New Balance footwear is experiencing a real boom, paired with fairly elegant, dark clothing. This is a true grassroots development born without the slightest hint of commercial marketing. The one-strap body-wrap...it's in the bag! In Italy, as elsewhere, the backpack has long been a useful accessory loved by all. A new mono-strap version was first observed just months ago carried by models arriving in town to show the latest collections or shoot a new line. Slowly but surely, it has appeared creeping onto the shoulders of "civilian" folk as well. It seems to have spread like an epidemic, from the biggest names in fashion design to lesser-known houses. Despite the variety, all are basically the same, produced in dark colors of nylon-cotton blends. In any case, the one-strap body-wrap conforms to the body's contours and presents an elegant alternative to the backpack with all the same advantages. Heads up! From the foot straight up to the top: evidently the extremities are finally being given their due. The guys are sticking to their "cloche" caps, which cover the entire head, while the girls are going in for the newly-arrived short hair look, playfully arranging it with colored clips. photos by Claude Savon & Almendra Back to: