Gladiator Chic at Fausto Puglisi’s Spring/Summer 2015 Collection Milan Fashion Week

Mentored by Dolce and Gabbana, hand-picked by Madonna as stylist on her 2012 tour and often proposed as the heir to Versace, Fausto Puglisi has enjoyed an illustrious rise to become a big name in the fashion world. Puglisi’s collections are known for being bold, bright and sexy.

Sicilian designer Puglisi is not one to allow his models to blend into the background, famous for his use of loud colors and conspicuous prints. His Spring/Summer collection for Milan Fashion Week this September was no different, as Puglisi presented an ensemble which fused kaleidoscopic prints with Roman gladiator.

In past interviews, Puglisi, who is a Greek and Latin literature graduate, has detailed his passion for the Roman Empire, and spoke of its influence on his designs: “I'm obsessed with the Roman Empire. For me, Rome means power, sex, decadence, delirium, skirts, pleats, peplums, embroidery. And these words always inspire my work.” In his Spring/Summer 2015 collection, Roman details manifested in calf-high gladiator sandals, decadent detailing and long, flowing skirts redolent of the ancient toga.

Puglisi does not just copy the image of a Roman, but takes his idea of a Roman and catapults it into the 21st century, with Puglisi’s neo-Romans making a statement in geometric prints, neons and hyper-luxurious gold jackets. Clearly keeping “power, sex [and] decadence” as his watchwords, Puglisi implemented these through structured, over-sized jackets, a dress featuring a zip the full length of the front and heavy, dazzling embellishment.