Vivetta Ponti leaned into her signature whimsy and surrealist trickery, crafting a collection where garments took on dual identities and playful illusions reigned supreme. Presented at Milan Fashion Week, the lineup blurred the lines between fashion and fantasy with trompe l’oeil details, animated silhouettes, and gravity-defying shapes.

Cotton pussy bows transformed into hands with painted fingernails, red-and-white neckties extended into flowing scarves, and miniskirts doubled as jackets tied at the waist. “It’s a cleaner collection than in the past, with all of the ’60s shapes that I love—but somehow, it’s off,” Ponti explained. Structured skirts and capes defied gravity, their hemlines curling mid-air thanks to hidden wirework, while pearl necklaces froze in sculptural twists, adorned with oversized black ribbons.

The collection played with duality: skirt suits appeared with superimposed jacket silhouettes in contrasting hues, and a demure gray pleated dress revealed a vibrant striped lining at the back. Yet, despite the fantastical elements, wearability remained key, with mint green princess coats with leopard collars, A-line coats, and tunic tops offering a balance between drama and practicality.

In the hands of another designer, these optical illusions might have felt gimmicky, but precise tailoring anchored Vivetta’s vision. In an era where surreal fashion is thriving—from Schiaparelli’s avant-garde theatrics to Vivetta’s sweet yet mischievous approach—this collection proved that a little bit of magic is exactly what the moment calls for.