Frida Giannini started out fairly straightforward. Gucci’s S/S collection, showed in Milan’s lunch hour, was all about classic jackets; double and single breasted jackets shared the stage with safari ones, which by the way we have seen quite a few of in the last few days. Most of these garments just had a casual scarf where a shirt is usually found. In midnight blue, they formed a stylish and strong intro. More warm than strong was the continuation. Several chunky knits hit the stage shortly afterwards, just as Milan was recovering from two days of rain and getting used to a bit of sunshine again…

Leather, and sometimes snakeskin, was another faithful Gucci fabric. Jackets and shirts, often in brown, beige and khaki colours, all came in luxurious leather. Other jacket types included a pea coat, which was presented during an all white segment. Embroidered and saddle print shirts kept the retro Gucci vibe alive. For the Grand Finale, Giannini brought out a handful of beautiful and luxurious evening jackets, all looking a million bucks…

Dazed Digital: What and who influenced the SS ’11 collection?
Frida Giannini: The 1970s, the golden age of Gucci, and characters like Paul Getty III, especially when he lived in Italy and his nightlife in Marrakesh. I wanted to create a balance between serious sophisticated tailoring and something a bit more excited and extravagant.

DD: There were quite a lot of heavy knits in the collection!
Frida Giannini: Yeah, I love knitwear in the evenings. It can be cold in the summer as well, depending on where you go!

DD: Favourite piece in the show?
Frida Giannini: The double-breasted suit in the first exit.