Set against the backdrop of one of the most elegant and historically-significant locations in Valletta – the National Library’s neoclassical main hall – the Gagliardi show promised to be a night to remember right from the champagne flutes handed out at the start.

The fashion show, which was a study in the understated luxury we have come to expect from Gagliardi, was split into two parts so the audience could better appreciate the seasonal shift between spring/summer 2014 and autumn/winter 2014.

Everything, from the location down to the flowers on the jacket lapels, offered an air of polished refinement that was in keeping with its 50-year-old tradition as Malta’s answer to Savile Row.

In keeping with its colourful heritage, spring/summer 2014 offered a sea of blues along with pops of yellow, orange, lilac and pink to give it an Amalfi Coast feel while giving a nod to 1920s glamour.

Using only the finest linens and cottons, as well as light Italian wools and blends, the collection included a selection of suits and separates featuring Gagliardi’s classic yet contemporary tailoring and a striking attention to detail.

While the brand took its inspiration for spring/summer 2014 from Italy’s sun-drenched southern coasts, it looked further north to Tuscany for its autumn/winter 2014 offering

The collection also featured an array of accessories, including retro-chic sunglasses and an abundance of light and airy outerwear, paired with soft suede moccasins perfect for lazy summer days.

While the brand took its inspiration for spring/summer 2014 from Italy’s sun-drenched southern coasts, it looked further north to Tuscany for its autumn/winter 2014 offering.

Photos: Kurt Paris

Inspired by the wild boar hunting typical of the region, the collection is a celebration of the colder season’s sombre yet rich tones of dark green, mustard and vibrant Bordeaux red.

Tweed, merino and cashmere dominated Gagliardi’s designs for the colder seasons, which were again an exercise in precise tailoring and fit. More casual options also benefited from streamlined shapes, doing away with the bulkiness typically associated with colder weather, and included elegant quilting, luxurious polo necks and jumpers in a variety of knits.

Among the highlights of the show was definitely the silk paisley dinner jacket, finished with a shawl collar and immediately evocative of smoking rooms and country estates.

Aimed at the dapper man, Gagliardi’s collections for 2014 provide a capsule wardrobe catering for most occasions, infused with luxury, sophistication and, most crucially, impeccable cuts and finishes.