
At Milan Fashion Week, N.21, guided by the creative vision of Alessandro Dell’Acqua, presented its FW25 collection titled “Intrusive Bows.” The collection elevated the simple bow to a central design element, redefining traditional fashion concepts and challenging typical aesthetic boundaries.
Alessandro Dell’Acqua, known for his distinctive and thoughtful designs, drew inspiration for this collection from his interpretation of three Sofia Coppola films: Lost in Translation, The Virgin Suicides, and Marie Antoinette. These films influenced a variety of themes in the collection, from minimalism and sensuous transparencies to playful pastel hues. Dell’Acqua used the bow not merely as decoration but as a key feature linking various moods and stylistic expressions across the collection, emphasizing shifts in lines, shapes, and volumes.

The runway featured a progression of designs that smartly integrated bows into the garments. It began with clean, minimalistic pieces, such as a matted wool coat with precise neoprene doubling, advancing to more intricate designs like flared skirts in dalmatian spot ponyskin and sleek leather coats. Accompanying these were skinny neoprene/wool sweaters with exaggerated flared sleeves, leading to a modern reinterpretation of the petite robe noire, or the little black dress, which was intricately adorned with bows enhancing both empire and shoulder necklines.


The collection skillfully balanced transparency and texture, with standout ensembles like trumpet pants paired with high rooster-feather ruff collar tops and glen plaid wool skirts coupled with bustier tops accented with bows. This theme of contrasting weights was further explored through combinations like puffy caban jackets with delicate organza skirts adorned with sheared-feather flounces and lightweight wool coats lined with robust cotton shirting.

Accessories were kept understated yet impactful, with footwear such as draped sabot sandals in pastel satin and matching slingbacks. Bags were elegantly simple, featuring geometric shapes and metal clasps in materials like mock-croc, eco-fur, and leather, presented in black and gentle pastel tones.

N.21’s FW25 collection at Milan Fashion Week not only showcased the aesthetic and practical versatility of fashion but also repositioned the bow as a pivotal element that connects and enhances various design elements. This collection stands as an example of Dell’Acqua’s skill in incorporating cinematic influences into contemporary fashion, offering a fresh perspective on elegance.