Ortiz raids Seventies for Salvatore Ferragamo’s sexy new look

The Italian fashion label Salvatore Ferragamo, once worn by Marilyn Monroe, became so conservative by the 1980s that even Margaret Thatcher took to wearing its loafers and brandishing its handbags. But on Tuesday at Milan Fashion Week, under their new creative director Cristina Ortiz, Ferragamo unveiled a slinky new look reminiscent of the Seventies.

It included thigh-skimming satin jumpsuits, fur-trimmed halterneck gowns and silver ankle boots with Perspex heels. Necklines plunged so low and some of the outfits were so skimpy that the catwalk models were left half exposed.

Ortiz, showing her first collection, told industry magazine Women's Wear Daily: "Salvatore Ferragamo shod so many Hollywood stars that were mysterious, sexy and alluring that I wanted to go a little more evening for the runway."

Ironically, the ghost of Mrs T did stalk the catwalk at Dolce & Gabbana, where pussycat-bow blouses were paired with skirts to invoke a very conservative, very British look. Meanwhile Prada mixed prim with perverse: see-through lace skirts and dresses revealed body-hugging underpants and pale thighs.