Dolce and Gabbana choose nautical theme for Milan

Nautical style circa France 1929 was the theme for Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana’s diffusion line, D&G, at Milan Fashion Week on Monday. Amid rumours that the new face of D&G is to be supermodel Naomi Campbell in a deal thought to be worth £1million, the flamboyant designers sent models in navy blue and white one-piece suits, yacht club blazers and vests embroidered with naval motifs down the runway to the strains of Edith Piaf's La Vie en Rose.

Campbell - who was meant to be guest of honour at the show - was nowhere to be seen, however. Celebrity guests in the front row included US singers Katy Perry and Kelly Rowland, one of the founding members of Destiny's Child.

Meanwhile actress Cate Blanchett was a front-row guest at the showing of Giorgio Armani's main line collection, along with husband Andrew Upton and one of their sons in tow. "A joy to wear," was how Armani described his new collection for the spring/summer 2009 with a classically feminine look that focussed on soft shades and fluid shapes.