Ferretti goes Victorian minimal for next winter

MILAN (AP) — The latest Alberta Ferretti winter collection could be labeled minimal Victorian.

There were many elements of 19th-century fashion in the show presented Wednesday — high collars, wide skirts, rich fabrics and austere embroidery — but on a paired down silhouette.

A simple sheath takes on yesteryear allures when it comes in rich velvet and prominent jeweled embroidery.

On the other hand, a suit with a hoop skirt and peplum jacket is updated by making the skirt a little narrower and the jacket smaller. Eveningwear keeps old-age accents, but is cut in a contemporary long and slim style. Fancy fur wraps are reversible with a cozy felt lining, which in a minute can turn posh into pedestrian.

The color palette for next winter is mainly black or white, joined by deep shades of red, green, and blue. Fabrics range from sumptuous velvet and satin to country tweeds.

Footwear comes in dainty gold embroidered slippers and velvet pumps with a discreet heel.

The models wore little makeup, and their hair was gathered in a demure French twist.

Heavy pendant earrings in the shape of a cross of honor completed the no-nonsense look.

"Every woman deserves one of those," Ferretti said ahead of the show.