Tod's A/W 2014

Alessandra Facchinetti hit a home run last season in her debut for Tod's and her sophomore effort proved that this was no fluke. Building further on the strong foundation she laid last season, Facchinetti presented another collection rooted in the footwear brand's leather goods expertise. Working with buttery, paper-thin slices of leather in cream and white, or striking puzzle piece-like intarsia formations, Facchinetti cut voluminous asymmetrical anorak-style capes and clothes that edged away from the body. There was a strong focus on outerwear - it is a winter season after all - and she nailed a boxy silhouette with a boyish crop in the front while trailing a feminine flourish from behind. Train constructions, normally reserved for formal ball gowns, were worked in unusual ways, such as on a lavender patent leather dress cut to the knee. There were indulgent details every where you looked in this collection, from the supersized leather visors that wrapped around the head like chic umbrellas, to leather aprons worn as waist and shoulder flaps, and finally, touches of luxe mink that were wrapped around wrists, ankles and necks as chokers. Topped with Tod's fine footwear - patent leather knee-high boots, loafers and rugged ankle boots - Facchinetti has quickly created a signature look that is an intriguing and very welcome addition to Milan's sometimes-staid fashion scene.