Milan strayed from the pack this season - there was little of the sixties styling we saw in New York and London and normally super sultry or chic labels like Dolce & Gabbana and Armani showed a sportier side. Very strange for a country that keeps it trim figure with a little huh-huh under the sheets. Armani had shorts shown with super-fitted single-breasted blazer and printed opaque tights. Dolce, on the other hand layered fluro-bright puffy parkas over their signature corset dresses.

Much the same as expected. Psychedelic prints at Pucci, now under the careful hand of Christian Lacroix. Fur at Fendi. Feminine dresses at Anna Molnari. But that is what is best about Italian fashion - they may never come up with any big surprises, but they do offer consumers a label with a concrete identity.

Other big news: Supermodels are back on the catwalk. Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Amber Valetta and Eva Herzigova all walked the planks this season in Milan. Could this mean a long-awaited return to "the body"? We'll just have to wait and see…

Oh yeah, stock up on opaque tights. Anyone seen in less than 40 denier will be ridiculed. Last one left in the 20 denier is a rotten egg.

EC