Exte's Decidedly Immodest
By J. J. Martin
Photos by Gruber-FWD
Milan, Oct 1, 2002/ FWD/ --- If you don't possess a set of legs that come up to your armpits,
or at least the boldness to have them exposed, you probably won't have much luck with Exte's
spring/summer 2003 collection.
The Italian brand known for its imaginative sportswear took things to extremes this season,
hiking skirts and hot pants up way beyond normal levels of sluttiness, and leaving models'
behinds swinging for all to see.
The overtly sexed up mood of the show was staged with the very first look -- all in black--
featuring a pair of miniscule leather shorts, mile high stiletto boots and a cropped
biker-style jacket with leather arm fringe so long, it whipped back and forth along the
black and white runway.
Exte's design team, headed by Vincenzo Scognamiglio, was clearly taken by the effect since
they continued to send out variations of the itsy-bitsy-lower-coverage concept throughout
the course of the show.
The hot pants, ultra short-shorts, and micro minis were sewn up in bold black and white
chiffon, leather, sequins or canvas, and were matched with breezy chiffon cropped blouses
or tight biker style black denim jackets.
When the girls' legs were actually covered, they were done so in a signature wide, straight
leg cargo pant that was adorned with the now-ubiquitous pockets, zippers and fringe.
But in this scenario, belly buttons then became the exposed body part of choice, as the pants
were paired with leather bandeaus or super cropped loose tops.
Regardless, the evening's high voltage trash factor was artfully maintained.
Spliced in with all of the hot sex, there were of course mentionable items.
Exte cut a great mannish style suit in bright white that had subtle stripes in white piping,
as well as several tailored jackets with a printed swirl design.
They also sent out a few great pieces in black chiffon, most notably a kimono style wrap
jacket lined with satin and a long multi-tiered skirt.
Finishing off with a series of black silk georgette barely-there dresses, Exte reconfirmed
their mantra of dressing the bad girl.
Anyone with a minute amount of modesty in her bones, will have slim pickings with this
collection.
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