Italian Fashion Designers

Neil Kirk

Italian Fashion

THE PRIMA DONNA IN VALENTINO: Taffeta gown (on model), $7250.

Neil Kirk

Italian Fashion

THE SOPHISTICATE IN GUCCI: Dress, $3995, gloves, $595, Gucci; clutch, $3990, Bally; tights, $52, Wolford.

Neil Kirk

Italian Fashion

THE INDEPENDENT IN PRADA: Sweater, $930, skirt, $860, shoes, $520, socks, $95, bags, $2195 and $1295, green coat (on bed), $3880, Prada; hat (on bed), $185, Ellen Christine Millinery.

Neil Kirk

Italian Fashion

THE DREAM WEAVERS: MARGHERITA & ANGELA MISSONI IN MISSONI; ON MARGHERITA: Dress, $1730, Missoni; necklace, $1070, Stephen Dweck; buckle bracelet, $920, Lulu Frost; tiger's-eye bracelet, $13,500, Marilyn F. Cooperman. ON ANGELA: Coat, $2552, top, $560, Missoni; jewelry, Angela's own. Makeup: Deborah Sasso for T.W.A Agency.

Neil Kirk

Italian Fashion

IN MEMORIAM: Gianfranco Ferré, 1945-2007.Ferré posed for Marie Claire just one day before he collapsed from a brain hemorrhage. Dubbed "fashion's architect" for the voluminous, sculptural shapes he favored, whether for his own line or when he was at the helm of Dior from 1989 to 1996, he never failed to help mold each season with his signature simple grandeur.

Neil Kirk

Italian Fashion

THE MINI MOGULS IN ARMANI: (From left): Dress, $750, coat, $1395, striped dress, $685, black camisole dress, $685, white dress, $475, long-sleeve dress, $795, belt, $350, Emporio Armani. Giorgio Armani in his own clothes.

Neil Kirk

Italian Fashion

THE LIVING DOLL IN MALO: Cardigan, $5120, dress, $875, Malo; sandals, price upon request, Giuseppe Zanotti Design; belt, $145, Ibisco; tights, $13.50, DKNY.

women in evening gowns with roberto cavalli

Neil Kirk

Italian Fashion

THE GLITTERATI IN CAVALLI: (Far left): Gown, $22,680, Roberto Cavalli. (Near left): Gown, $5450, Roberto Cavalli; earrings, $450, Alexis Bittar; bracelets, $5990 and $5300, Vendorafa. (Center left): Gown, $96,830, shoes, price upon request, Roberto Cavalli. (Center right): Gown, $23,160, shoes, price upon request, Roberto Cavalli; diamond ring, $650, Scott Kay; crystal ring, $85, Givenchy. (Near right): Dress, $1040, Just Cavalli. (Far right): Bustier, $855, cuff, $209, Just Cavalli. Roberto Cavalli in his own clothes.

Neil Kirk

Italian Fashion

THE ROMANTIC IN BLUMARINE: Top, $1455, Blumarine; skirt, $1995, Rossella Tarabini for Anna Molinari; floral necklace, $682, Swarovski necklace, $730, Iosselliani; silver-and-bronze necklace, $535, Stephen Dweck; rhinestone collar, $430, Roxanne Assoulin for Lee Angel.