Giorgio Armani S/S 2012 at Milan Fashion Week TO the projected backdrop of water ripples and the sound of crashing waves Giorgio Armani sent out his iridescent water nymphs this morning – Coco Rocha leading the

way.

It was clear from both the set-up and the amount of adjectives used to describe all things sensual, pearly and water-based in the release that this was going to be a sartorial sea dive from the designer.

Two by two the models stepped out – and the applause commenced – in slinky silver and indigo wrap shirts and slit-front trousers, large woven totes of the same shades and sleek skirt suits whose lengths fell to midi. There were black and indigo striped blazers and shell-like shapes on bodiced dresses which unfurled at the hip to create conch curves. Or there were plunge-front sparkling numbers or little shimmery sequin tops slit at the front just enough to show the ever-popular midriff that, with all the gypsy-inspired crop tops we’ve been seeing on the catwalk in Milan this week, is having a moment.

More sleek lines came in the form of kimono-style jackets cut on the bias - it was angular yet soft all at the same time with satins fluently falling into place – “cascading over the body like glistening water”. In royal blue, cerulean and green, three models in strapless gowns came to represent the very inspiration of the whole collection – the sea – in one fell swoop.

“It was refreshing and breezy, I liked the aquatic feel,” said Vogue’s Harriet Quick after the show, which ended with three pearly queens in strapless gowns holding hands and the moon taking up residence on the back wall projection and shining down on the water ripples.