Michele's New Hippie Chic

The collection is androgynous, genderless and not very sexy. High-necked flared blouses with pleated midi-length skirts, Birkenstock-like sandals in combination with wide, body-hugging dresses and fur-trimmed loafers peeking out from under the oversized suit pants. The show is the dismemberment of the Gucci style that former creative director Frida Giannini shaped for almost a decade. You look in vain for provocative bodycon dresses, killer high heels or dramatic make-up.

Michele's first collection paved the way for a new look. When the designer shows himself to the public for the first time after the show with his long hair, cotton trousers that are far too wide and a necklace adorned with shark teeth, he looks more like a hippie from San Francisco in the 1970s than the high-fashion designer you might imagine him to be. His personal style is still reflected in all of his collections today. For winter 2016, for example, he put oversized nerd glasses on his models' noses and covered them in long, colorful maxi dresses. The current collection for summer 2017 is inspired by the boho chic of the 70s. Michele creates a colorful glittering world with almost kitschy tulle skirts combined with frilly blouses, a baseball uniform gets glittering embroidery, the puffed sleeves of the maxi dresses have the shape of a pineapple and the classic Gucci cardigan gets a hood without further ado. Michele approaches fashion with an almost childlike impartiality. Without conventions, rules and traditions, he finds his very own way to create something completely new.