Design for today Magazine

Milan For a season when other fashion houses present theatrical and over the top collections, the Ter Et Bantine F/W ’09-’10 collection is reminiscent of Scandinavian simplicity rather than of the traditional Italian style. Creative director Manuela Arcari’s latest collection is modern, minimalistic and androgyne; the focus is put on volume and details, with an obvious touch of the early 1990’s.

Cuts are sharp and clean, a silhouette playing with geometry with emphasis on shoulders and bust in its triangular or cubic shapes. The skirts and dresses are either very short or with hemlines finishing just above the knee, trousers are loose fitting with a high waist and narrow around the ankles. Some looks even include the classic ski pants and the pants suits that made it back to the catwalks last year. The details are important; from zippers to pockets and the experimenting with necklines and hoods. Colours are solid and basic; black, nude, off white and grey but creating effects in the choice of fabrics like wool, jersey, leather and different knits or the memorable black dress made of cylinders.

The accessories include cube shaped bags and the shoes are all flat lace ups in white or varnished black, completing the androgyne look with its natural, breezy make up and tied back hair. Apart from standing out from the crowd in its style, the Ter Et Bantine collection was well received by the audience and judging by the buzz after the show it may be considered one of the stronger during Women’s Fashion Week A/W ’09-’10 in Milan

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