Milan, Jun 29, 2002/ FWD/ --- Staying true to a rock 'n' roll identity, Donatella Versace paved a hardcore path of early-'80s punk rock for her younger Versus line.

And she did it, as always, with a group of young, up-and-coming artists in the front row.

Along with the band "The Lost Profits" -- personal favorites of Donatella's son Daniel -- Darren Hayes of Savage Garden and British actress Emilia Fox watched as tough guys sporting exaggerated "big-wave" hair strutted down the runway in super-slim, retro silhouettes.

The fabulously gorgeous Fox, who is featured in Roman Polanski's upcoming film "The Pianist," flew in from London just for Donatella's mod squad presentation, but admitted, "I'm a Versus virgin."

Along with the popular pocket-hanging chain, leather played a crucial role in this collection, showing up in nearly every look.

Particularly noteworthy was a pair of black leather pants covered top to bottom in white zippers, creating a pin-stripe configuration.

And although black served as the foundation for the collection, shots of bright florescent yellow, red and blue - sometimes used in unexpected combinations - reinforced the '80s feel.

Other retro techniques employed included skinny ties, black pointed loafers with silver buckles and chains, pegged pants and tight, super-short sleeves shown on almost every shirt.

The punk rocker diva girls who accompanied their male counterparts walked the thin line of serious sluttiness with their barely-there leather shorts and micro minis paired with heavy-on-the-metal spiked stilettos.

The scantily clad ladies, featuring long blond, Donatella-esque wigs, were at least heavily armed in chains - the thick silver strands held together tiny pieces of fabric, and at times actually served as the clothing itself.

Summing up the general sentiment of the audience, Fox commented on the sexy looks: "Sure, I'd wear that... if I had about five more inches on me."