Versace
The plush carpet lining the tented outdoor garden of the Versace headquarters in Milan showed the outline of a single twisting vine pattern. The same vaguely baroque motif found its way onto short, slit black and white dresses whose overall effect was toned down from Versace's usual vroom factor. Until, of course, it showed up as a scarlett relief pattern on a shocking red ponyskin coat. The evening finale, sweeping chiffon gowns trimmed with marabou feathers, returned to classic Versace territory – that is, the red carpet-friendly frou that leads Hollywood actresses to have the Milan atelier on speed dial before the Oscars.