SIXTY-TWO ITALIAN KNIT-WEAR BOUTIQUES AND HIGH FASHION READY-TO-WEAR HOUSES SHOWED EXAMPLES FROM THEIR NEW SPRING AND SUMMER COLLECTIONS AT A FASHION PARADE AT THE PITTI PALACE IN FLORENCE ON THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 7).

THE EMPHASIS THIS YEAR WAS ON FABRICS - AND COLOURS - RATHER THAN STYLE. LIVIO DE SIMONE'S FAVOURITE FABRIC WAS VINILLIVIO. HE USED IT FOR LONG DRESSES, FOR HEAD-DRESSES AND FOR SUITS FOR MEN AND WOMEN ALIKE. IN HIS FABRIC DESIGN HIS THEME WAS 'STAR DUST', A HEAVY SCATTERING OF DOTS ON HIS DOMINANT COLOURS.

KRIZIA, TOO, IS LOOKING TO THE STARS. IN THESE DESIGNS A STAR IS USED AS A SIMPLE RECURRING THEME AND COMBINED WITH THE CLEAN-CUT DIRECTNESS OF THE LINES, THE TOTAL LOOK WAS VERY YOUNG AND FRESH.

THROUGHOUT THE SHOW THERE WERE INGENIOUS GLIMPSES OF NUDITY. MINI-SKIRTS HAD TO COMPETE FOR ATTENTION WITH SEE-THROUGH BLOUSES FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITALY. IN ONE DESIGN BY GUIDI IT SEEMED THAT THE NECKLINE WAS SWOOPING RIGHT DOWN TO MEET THE HEMLINE. THE GENERAL IMPRESSION WAS OF AN UNUSUALLY DARING TREND FOR READY-TO-WEAR FASHION.