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MILAN - Black is the sombre backdrop designers have chosen for next winter's menswear at shows this week, but every so often they cannot resist some blonde fake fur or 1960s ruffle shirts.
"Black is cool," said Giorgio Armani at the end of his show for the younger men's Emporio Armani line for winter 2007-08.
"We tried to put colour in the collection, but as you can see, we couldn't manage it," said Armani, dressed in a dark velvet suit and white sneakers.
He sent out his models for the Emporio collection in slim-line trousers or looser ones that tucked into short boots, with one-button jackets and padded, metallic jackets.
"Textiles, where there is a great deal of research, have dominated over form," Armani added.
Miuccia Prada couldn't resist adding fake fur looks to her predominantly black collection, with a black fur mohair tunic worn over pencil trousers and fun fur fronts for jumpers in blonde and grey.
Prada's models spiralled among the seated audience in a circular space bounded by orange walls, giving standing guests a surreal view of models moving through a sea of upturned faces.
The designer, whose company may consider offering shares to the public next year, didn't forget all-important money spinners such as bags, gloves and sunglasses.
Pull-on hats in angora-soft pastels, vibrant green and double-shaded grey contrasted with orange, turquoise or green knit touch-tempting jumpers.
But Prada's collection, which some fashion writers had thought would signal clear trends in the winter season, slipped back to black.
Her straight-slim trousers and three-quarter coats or suits over white shirts without ties echoed a theme already evident at Versace and Dolce & Gabbana on Sunday.
At Roberto Cavalli, the prevailing black mood let ruffles through on white shirts inspired by Jim Morrison -- the iconic singer of "The Doors" who died in 1971 and is buried in Paris.
"My son passed on his 'mood' for Morrison to me," Cavalli said, standing next to Daniele, "and so this collection visualises a man between music and craftsmanship."
- REUTERS
