Milan fashion designers present their first collection of 2020

Milan fashion designers were taking a step back as they consider the import of presenting their first collections of the 2020s.

The last decade marked a blurring in gender roles and also the rise of high-end streetwear.

Anyone looking back at past decades will see how they softly blur one into the other. As seen on runways this season, Milan designers seem to be solidifying the gender-bending trend while maintaining a strong line of masculinity.

Models wear creations part of the MSGM men's Fall-Winter 2020/21 collection.

Streetwear might not fare so well. While high-end sweatshirts, leisure trousers and sneakers did much draw the attention of younger generations, many established designers see it as an assault on luxury that must be held at bay.

As designers explore new trends, there was considerable role-playing on runways previewing mostly menswear for Fall/Winter 2020/21.

Highlights from Sunday’s shows:

PRADA’S EVERYDAY HEROES

To a fashion crowd in arena seating above surreal piazza featuring a cut-out 3-D equestrian statue, Miuccia Prada presented workmanlike looks in clean neutrals with just a flash of color for her first collection of the new decade.

Prada presented workmanlike looks in clean neutrals.

Prada said she wanted to give a message to young people in an era of confusion "that the only thing that makes me calm, relaxed and optimistic is to give value to work.” And, she said, to give value to things that are durable.

This one included sustainable nylon and cotton, she said, promising more.

Models present creations for Prada as part of the men's fall/winter 2020/21 fashion collections.

SUNNEI’S 1990s REVIVAL

Simone Rizzo and Loris Messina invited the fashion crowd to the studios of the regional television station Telelombardia in Milan’s periphery to inject a note of realism to the runway show.

A model wears a creation as part of the Sunnei men's Fall-Winter 2020/21 collection.

Guests passed the control room with its array of screens on the way to the studio show space, with risers arranged in the square as if around a boxing ring.

Flashing lights offered just a glimpse of the looks with a focus on silhouettes, from big A-line coats to slim-fitting ribbed knitwear for her and oversized suits with short pants for him.

Sunnei men's Fall-Winter 2020/21 collection, that was presented in Milan, Italy.

SALVATORE FERRAGAMO DEFINES ‘METAMODERN’ FOR THE NEW DECADE

The new Salvatore Ferragamo collection had touches of femininity against a canvas created from six very masculine archetypes.

Models walk the ramp for Salvatore Ferragamo.

In one iteration, a softer Japanese surfer trouser combined with relaxed knitwear and lug-sole boots. Soft pastel shirts were worn with suits, some with trousers, some with Bermuda shorts and some with both, layered one over the other.

A model presents a creation for Salvatore Ferragamo as part of the men's fall/winter 2020/21 fashion collections in Milan.

 A converted camera bag was carried firmly on one shoulder, like a purse, contrasting with more masculine duffel bags.

MSGM’S HORROR COLLABORATION WITH DIRECTOR DARIO ARGENTO

The red leather gloves of a killer. Hazy patterns as if a foreboding forest on a mohair sweater. Bold prints of flesh-eating plants.

Models wear creations part of the MSGM men's Fall-Winter 2020/21 collection.

For his latest MSGM collection, Massimo Giorgetti collaborated with Italian film director Dario Argento, taking aesthetic queues from the ‘’Master of Horror.’’

Agence France-Presse