Moschino offers sweet military chic

A model wears a creation part of the Moschino women’s Fall-Winter 2012-2013 collection that was presented in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb.24, 2012.
AP

MILAN (AP) — Never has military-inspired apparel been quite so sweet.

Moschino creative director Rossella Jardini added girly touches to many of the uniform-inspired overcoats, jackets and capes previewed Friday as part of the womenswear collection for next winter during Milan Fashion Week.

Moschino’s military capes, complete with epaulettes and big golden buttons on double-breasted styles, were cut of bright pink satin fabric or embellished with a thick ruffle. The leg-baring hemline leaves you guessing about the fashion underneath.

Hard and soft were in perfect balance.

A quilted biker jacket adorned with a heart and a peace sign was paired with a shaggy ballerina skirt.

Beehive hairdos were wrapped in oversized black taffeta bows, and jewelry was bold, large open circle earrings, heavy pendants and thick Moschino-emblazoned bracelets.

The accessories worked across a spectrum of looks, from mini suits in graphic prints recalling the 1960s to frilly pink taffeta cocktail dresses. Biker jackets were indispensable to the collection, showing up with short skirts and snug pants.

The palatte was mostly black and white, with flashes of red, yellow and bright girly pink. Shoes were spiky open-toe pumps.

Moschino paid special attention to headwear. There were lots of broad-brimmed South American cowboy hats held snug by a chin strap. And big furry black caps, call it a head muff, created a soft Muppet effect, sweetly framing the face with a big satin bow.