Emporio Armani debuted essential wardrobe pieces—pantsuits, little black dresses, and sweater dresses—in a much different light for its fall/winter 2015 collection in Milan this week.

The ikat appeared in textiles, bomber jackets, and matching sets, like pantsuits in royal purples, deep reds, and black onyx. Cropped and stitched to reveal large ruffled sleeves, statement pieces, and linear effects, the professional and creative looks revamped traditional business casual.

Sweater dresses were dropped at the waist with long, loose ruffles that swayed below the knee, and cropped, rolled, and stitched sleeves complemented a thick turtleneck. Just when it appeared to be a dress, an asymmetrical cut exposed an opening high enough to consider it a knit top. A high-collar, red-checkered blazer, adorned with a statement piece—an enormous, childlike red bow on the top left button enclosure—offset the small front waistline slit and symmetrical button arrangement. The classic LBD is sultry with a plunging V-cut neckline yet sophisticated with two masculine belt-like buckles to accentuate the waistline.

Red-rimmed sunglasses give just enough hint of color, as the bottoms of the lenses were exposed without rims. Ikat Saffiano shopping bags tied in pops of clothing color, while frills and buckles on leather edges made a return this season.

Feminine shapes, Eastern references, and precious shades give Emporio Armani a business-savvy collection to be worn all over the office, and all over the world.

ikat

Emporio Armani Gets Bold with Basics