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All a sparkle in Milan

By Lucy Hutchings on Monday 2 March 2009

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Etro A/W 2009, Milan Fashion Week

Milan might be low on the celeb count this week, but that doesn't mean we're missing any razzmatazz or sparkle. In fact, if it isn't doused in sequins, littered with pearls or embellished with jewels, it might as well not be on the catwalk.

From Armani's embroidered evening boots and gossamer-light sparkling evening gowns to Gucci's Human League-inspired mirrored trousersuits, it's all about the bling for Milan's biggest names.

At Alberta Ferretti, where Quality Street-style shades and shiny sweet wrapper-style fabrics made for a colourful collection, twenties-style flapper dresses, covered in light-reflecting beads, were some of the most successful pieces on the runway, while pearls were the gem of choice, used to embellish exaggerated shoulder shapes or around the throat as a kind of opulent turtleneck.

Pearls cropped up again at MaxMara, this time over the head-covering snoods which were a key component of the entire collection.

At the gorgeous, luxe Alessandro Dell'Acqua collection, metallic accents came in the form of chainmail-like skirts and gold-specked open-weave knits, all delivered in the covetable smokey brown palette which coloured the whole show.

Even at Etro, where print is key and this season, a louche Seventies vibe was in full swing, there was room for some glitz in the shape of gold lamé separates and laser-cut gilded leather overlays.

Finally, it's just not a show this week if some glitzy brocade isn't thrown into the mix. Forget boring black, or safe primary shades, or the horrors of the economy at large, it looks like we're finally ready to shine with the times.

WATCH ALL THE RUNWAY SHOWS HERE

Report from Carla Bevan in Milan