The bidding war for the luxury company inspired a powerful, pretty collection from the designer Karl Lagerfeld. But he wasn't giving anything away about the current talks with Patrizio Bertelli of Prada - whom Lagerfeld favors over Gucci, a Milan source suggested. ''I want everyone to be happy, including myself,'' he said of a possible deal.
Happiness is in the air.
By going back to Domenico Dolce's Sicilian roots, the design duo produced a strong collection. The show was sexy - but in the way of a disco diva who knows that looking fab is about fashion, not flesh. And these clothes were fancied up with exceptional accessories, from the hoop earrings and choker necklaces with a tucked-in rose, to the giant fur bags, down to cameos on velvet slippers. You could spot a whole cast of characters in the market. Even Uncle Sam put in an appearance in Stars and Stripes jewel-embroidered jeans.