MILAN, Sep 30, 2006/ FW/ --- In a season marked by sobriety and the non-colors black & white, Alessandro Dell’Acqua took it one step farther by sending a very wearable collection based on animal prints and hides.

Except for the snakeskin wide belts, PETA would have been proud, because though the inspiration are the denizens of the wild, no animal skin or fur was used in the collection.

Rather, Dell’Acqua worked long and hard to replicate the spots of the tiger and the skin of the snakes, sometimes choosing to use their natural color, at times opting for the vibrant shades of fuchsia and silver.

The hemline is short; all dresses are minis, whether they are rolled at them to create a balloon effect, or a wide piece of lace added as an embellishment. Even the shift dresses reach only to the thighs, their only embellishment a wide cummerbund with a thin belt cinching the waist.

Trousers are few and far between, ranging from cigarette pants to wide legged chiffon palazzos. Trench coats are made from high tech fabric, with an animal print lining.

A well-edited collection, Alessandro Dell’Acqua made the show short and sweet, making the audience clamor for more in the end.

Alessandro Dell'Acqua

Alessandro Dell'Acqua

Alessandro Dell'Acqua