A model presents a creation by Fendi during the Autumn/Winter 2008 women's collections in Milan.
© AFP/File Filippo MonteforteMILAN (AFP) - Mink, silver fox and astrakhan dominated the eight-day run of Milan catwalk shows which ended Saturday, as designers were almost unanimous in featuring fur in their ready-to-wear for next winter.
And out it came in all shapes, forms, sizes, colours and uses.
At Giorgio Armani, a stole was nonchalantly thrown over an elegant evening dress, while at Marni, Consuelo Castiglioni topped off her futuristic textures with marmot hats snugly fastened under the chin with chains looped into a necklace.
Alberta Ferretti went in for a discreet fur lining, while it was more overtly used at Fendi on a sexy mini-dress, and Matthew Williamson for Emilio Pucci dipped it in green, chocolate or mandarine.
At Etro, fur was used on the cuffs of coat sleeves.
Feathers were also all the rage. Bottega Veneta sent out voluminous capes that were wing-like leaving black feathers in their wake. Fendi's delicate birds seemed to have borrowed their plumage from mysterious black winged-creatures.
Simonetta Ravizza, a specialist designer of skins and pelts, spoke in a press report of "dreaming that fur becomes democratic and that young people approach it without remorse."
A model presents a creation by Fendi during the Autumn/Winter 2008 women's collections, in Milan.
© AFP/File Filippo Monteforte But if a rabbitskin outfit costs in the region of about 2,000 euros, sable on the other hand is only available to those with about 60,000 euros to spare, according to La Repubblica newspaper.
While newspaper reports hailed the comeback of fur to the Milan catwalks, they mentioned only in passing at the start of the week how activists from the animal rights group, PETA, had splattered the window of the British fashion house Burberry with red paint.
Milan fashion for autumn-winter 2007-08 also confirmed the enduring popularity of the puff skirt, dress and jacket, with reinterpretations of the rounded silhouette, after its appearance for spring.
Armani made the rolled-hem a key look, with skirts and dresses that puffed out gently, then gathered at the knee, in all different fabrics, from black velvet to green taffeta, perhaps paired with a little belted jacket or turning into a glittering bustier dress for evening.
At Just Cavalli, the puffed skirt was also a leading light, cut very short and strapped tightly at the waist by wide leather belts. Moschino Cheap and Chic offered balloon wedding dresses with trapeze jackets and coats.
Italian designer Giorgio Armani in Milan
© AFP/File Filippo MonteforteBottega Veneta's pleats and draping were cut in thick material bringing volume to skirts, while Prada's masculine overcoats worn like dresses were cut straight and waistless but adorned with a full pleat in the back.
Gucci's Frida Giannini presented 1940s screen goddess glamour, which, with its knickers and flying jacket, had a masculine strength but a resolutely womanly sexiness. Flowing black evening gowns were the ultimate in dramatic yet restrained glamour.
Leopard print will also remain ever-present for winter. Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana used a soft-focus version of the print for their long and vaporous dresses in their younger D and G line.
©AFP