Though the full contingency of fashion journalists and photographers are not in the city yet (most are arriving Sunday night or Monday morning), catwalk shows at the Fiera Milano, the main venue for the event has already started.

Showing to a mostly hometown crowd, Pierluigi Fucci proposed shorts for day and night for Spring / Summer 2006. With a relaxed fit and paired with a tailored jacket for day or a strapless number embellished with laser cut leaves for evening, Fucci has the ladies ready for the warm July month.

Emerging design talent Pilar Ruiz highlighted the female form with her gingham checks that emphasized the waist. Using tiny ribbons strategically placed on the waistline to finish off a romantic look based on lace and ruffles, Ruiz took sweet femininity center stage.

Yet, it was in the cocktail dresses that Ruiz excelled with her handkerchief hemlines and ruche bodice, it would be a sweet and sexy summer for the Pilar Ruiz lady.

Other notables are Kusko Koo and Paolo Erico. Their avant-garde take on women dressing are for individualists who are not afraid to take risks.