Givhan On Pointe in Milan

In yesterday's report from Milan, The Post's Robin Givhan hit on two points that say everything there is to say about fashion - to me, at least. Style and high end fashion are about incredible beauty and refinement, even when they play on them or wreck havoc on them. It's said too often that the runways are about the unattainable, and certainly this can put Everywoman off, but it is what makes it the runway and not the Dollar Store. Givhan writes it perfectly:

"How can a designer send out a seemingly simple pair of narrow navy trousers topped with a close-fitting ribbed sweater and leave one marveling at the beauty of it all? What makes his work so much more astounding than the trousers and sweater you might pick up for a quarter of the price at Banana Republic? The difference begins, of course, with the fabric. Even a quick glance reveals its elegant sheen and luxurious drape. Then come the details: in the perfect proportion of the trousers and the impeccable fit of the sweater. The lean silhouette is grounded with chunky heels that keep everything from looking too fragile. [...]

A designer has to master his details the same way any creative person must. Just as a chef understands why a quarter teaspoon of a spice is just right and a half teaspoon is too much, Simons understand that in fashion, transformations come in millimeters."

I couldn't have written it better myself. And in fact, I didn't - she did. Thanks, Robin, for expressing it.

Now, if I could just get over my runway envy...sitting there...seeing it all...