Bette Franke, ’70s-style bombshell at Gucci. All photos courtesy of ImaxTree.com.

Rain. It started early in the morning and stayed, through morning espresso and makeup, then long past lunch. But on the first day of Milan Fashion Week, even three-inch puddles couldn’t dampen my spirits. The first big show of Day 1 is always Gucci—which means the whole shebang gets off to a very stylish start. At the Piazza Oberdan, crowds of umbrellas massed together—some chancy folks lifted theirs higher and higher in the air to edge to the front of the line. Street style snappers wore slickers. Anna Dello Russo wore the one-shouldered Spring 2014 Saint Laurent top printed with red lips. (Readers, she is VERY tan.) Inside, waiters circulated with champagne and tiny chocolates. Salma Hayek was there with her husband, Francois-Henri Pinault, the head of luxury conglomerate PPR. She looked cute in a leather biker cap, carrying a purple fringe purse. (Readers, she is TINY. And super smiley. Which surprised me. You?) Then the much anticipated show began. Read on for the top five things to know about Gucci Fall 2014.
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