Lorenzo Serafini will make his formal debut at Philosophy during Milan fashion week, but he was in New York recently to show the label s Pre-Fall offering to buyers. Philosophy is Alberta Ferretti s little sister line. It s always had her name on the tag inside. Now you ll find Serafini s there. That s a strong endorsement from Signora F. and a sign that parent company Aeffe believes in this Dolce Gabbana and Roberto Cavalli veteran. The collection suggested that this trust is well placed. A decade and a half working behind the scenes in Italy has given Serafini a good nose for trends. He sniffed out the early- 70s thing that has been happening and showed an electric red shearling over a little printed silk dress and sheer black hose that had echoes of Yves Saint Laurent. There were shades of YSL in a full-skirted halter dress with a scarf neck and thin chain belt as well. Pants were high-waisted and fitted and topped by snug cropped sweaters worn with frilly silk shirts underneath. Serafini explained, "Philosophy represents femininity, lightness, and sophistication, and these are values that I m really into." The red-and-white lace print of a tie-neck blouse and long skirt was lifted from a centuries-old scarf. The designer hinted that there d be more prints on the runway; he s got a nice eye for them.
