Insider Access: Karen Langley – Milan Day One

Dazed's team round up each day of Milan womenswear Spring Summer 13 with their thoughts. Fashion director Karen Langley summarises day one...

Dazed Digital: What did you experience today?
Karen Langley: An early flight and straight to Gucci, which was bright, uplifting, pumping music. A classic Italian show to kick off Milan fashion week. I thought it was clever – a minimal take on 60s and 70s with tunics and the suiting. It had a nod to Asia and the orient with the hair, it's nice to see really sexy, powerful women. I think it's important to see those things you associate with summer, like bright colours and florals but on a strong woman. It wasn't naïve.

I think Marcelo [Burlon] did a great job on the soundtrack at No. 21, I could see a few people singing along to it! That kept us going for a bit longer...

We then went to the Armani accessories preview. A lot more minimal, there were some good bits in there and it made me look forward to the [Emporio Armani] show tomorrow.

Then we went to Hogan and Katie Grand's launch for her collaboration. It was good to see all the cool girls there – Cara [Delevingne], Julia [Nobis], Dree [Hemingway]. It was a fun party, out in the garden and a nice way to ease in to Milan on our first evening.

DD: Favourite off-catwalk moment?
Karen Langley: Coming back to the hotel and having a Prada gift sat on my bed, the absolute ultimate best way of starting Milan – a perfect shade of green handbag.

Also I'm excited about Katie [Shillingford]'s first fashion week outing with the bump. I'm excited about the style paps – whereas she often shies away from that I'm encouraging her to be loud and proud because she's doing this for the baby, documenting! I'd be excited if I saw my mum rocking a look at fashion week back in the day... 

DD: What are you looking forward to next?
Karen Langley: Prada. The best thing is to go with an open mind and be surprised. If you pushed me for an answer and I was to guess anything, because last season was so hard and graphic, I would think it'd probably be the absolute opposite. A more detailed, less graphic look with movement and femininity.

Also Armani. I love an Armani show, it's the foundation, the grass roots of Milan fashion week...