Let's Excavate (The Chic Way) ... Miu Miu SS09

Question: Why there are no Miu Miu standalone stores in Malaysia since the last 15 years it was introduced to the world?

Answer: To tell you the truth, I also don’t know why there are no Miu Miu stores in Malaysia and furthermore, I’m not the one who should be bombarded with this kind of question. Just ask Prada people for God’s sake!

For spring/summer 2009, Creative Director and founder Miuccia Prada is trying to create a sort of difference. While most fashion labels are strongly endorsing those dreamy summer vacations somewhere in the centre of the uncharted Pacific, Miu Miu goes for a contrast direction.

The label has chosen to unleash that hidden archaeologist spirit inside you by taking you to an exclusive excavation trip across the ruins of vast ancient Roman Empire as well as the European civilizations. Again, applying her love of fine arts into the collection, Prada has juxtaposed fashion elements such as pleats with ancient artefacts like Roman mosaics and painted tiles to create a stunning ready-to-wear collection to boot.

Since Miu Miu is always known for its healthy dose of sensible quirkiness, Prada has created a trend that was once pioneered by the likes of Gwen Stefani (The Sweet Escape Tour wardrobe) and Sarah Jessica Parker ( in one of the Sex and the City episodes), which is apron-wearing.

Designed to be slightly different than the conventional French cooking apron, Miu Miu’s version is half the actual (apron) size. On the length side, the apron is a bit narrow and finished off with large knife pleating details on the front. Made in a variety of colours, the apron can be worn with either skirts, dresses, or even with skinny jeans or classic leggings.

On the other hand, dresses are made with nipped waists while tops are nicely darted to accentuate the wearer’s body shape. In addition to the fashionable aprons, large pleating details are also abundant on silk dresses and skirts. To further emphasize those sexy curves and silhouettes, some of the pieces are made with cinched waists or over sewn with similar or different fabrics in contrasting hues to bring out the effect.

Whilst most of the pieces were made using matte surfaced materials, gorgeous prints inspired by the ancient Roman artefacts aforementioned too graced one-half of the collection.

Strapless dresses swathed in neoclassical prints ‘tainted’ with graffiti-like squiggles in neon tints, shift dress in roman mosaic print, and strapless mosaic print dress with pleated front are some of the ‘hot’ pieces that will take fashion sphere by storm.

Nevertheless, don’t let that archaeology chic of yours come undone without Miu Miu’s selection of must have bags and shoes. Keep your eyes on these must have yet gorgeous Miu Miu accessories for next year’s spring/summer - printed snakeskin tote in ruby red, sexy T-bar pumps with monotonous wave pattern, and multihued snakeskin stiletto pumps. And one more thing, let’s cross our fingers and hope that there will be a Miu Miu store opening just anywhere within our beloved city KL.

Miu Miu’s spring/summer 2009 collection will be available at all Miu Miu stores and selected multi-brand retailers starting early next year.

*Photos by Marcio Madeira for Style.com/VOGUE

Miu Miu - #02-45/46, Paragon Shopping Centre, 290 Orchard Road, Singapore 238859.