MILAN, Sep 29, 2001/ --- Without a question Alessandro Dell'Acqua knows what women want. They want to appear determined and strong, yet never lose their sexy, feminine allure.

They want clothes that do not wear them. They want to look painfully desirable, and they want to look like they effortlessly achieved it.

And like seasons past, Dell'Acqua once again gave women all this in his Spring 2002 collection, presented today at the Milan Fairgrounds.

Soft yet structured chiffon separates flirted their way down the runway in solid earth tones like clay and cream, as well as a rich violet, sky blue and the palest of yellows.

Sheer smoky black and mocha peasant dresses fell off one shoulder and slouched slightly over gorgeously hand-crafted belts, hung wide around the hips. Sturdy silk trousers, boot-cut and low-slung, were paired with the slimmest of thread-strapped camisoles.

It was one of those rare collections where each piece made viewers more covetous than the next.

Granted, it played with sultry, bohemian elements similar to - though much lighter than - those that made us all weak at YSL. But it was undeniably Dell'Acqua.

It re-affirmed his love of things soft and sheer (if only for the sole purpose of showing off his sexy lingerie pieces), his edgy rock attitude - evidenced by next season's must-have suede stiletto boot with the heel cut-out - and, of course, his quiet dismissal of an outfit's wearability factor.

Sure, women want to throw a sheer, cappuccino-colored tunic over sexy boyish briefs, cover it only by a wide brown belt and look as taut, tan and sultry as Stella Tennant, but can they?

If the breath-taken editors were any indication, women are going to want to -- at the very least -- damn well try.

Alessandro Dell'Acqua

Alessandro Dell'Acqua

Alessandro Dell'Acqua

Alessandro Dell'Acqua