IF there are to be show-stoppers at a fashion show, then they ought to be the clothes. In Milan yesterday, the autumn/ winter collection from Italian design house Salvatore Ferragamo was completely upstaged by Ray Charles.
Playing the piano and accompanied by an orchestra, the legendary blind singer serenaded the Ferragamo range, tactfully ignoring the fact that most of the audience was paying more attention to him than to what was appearing on the ramp.
Dressed in a distinctly unmissable gold brocade jacket, Charles (66) sang some of his best-known numbers, including Georgia on My Mind. There was no Georgia on the catwalk, but Georgina Grenville, currently one of the highest-paid models in the business, stopped in her tracks along with the current face of Chanel, Stella Tennant, to applaud the singer.
While the latest collection was perhaps not as memorable as the musical accompaniment, there was still plenty to admire. Knee-length reversible wool coats in navy and chocolate or camel and mustard were shown with colour-co-ordinated viscose/rayon knit mini-dresses. Belted black nylon raincoats came generously trimmed with leather, and midnight blue sheepskin coats to just below the hip were given ribbed-knit sleeves in the same shade.
Since this house is noted for its accessories, attention was particularly focused on the Ferragamo bags - including a number made from very thin strips of woven birch - and footwear, the latter featuring mid-thigh suede boots with very, thin three-inch heels.
Although the Milan shows began during the weekend, yesterday saw the first presentations by well-established names ending late in the evening with Gianni Versace's Istante line.
The challenge for other Italian houses will be to come up with a spectacle surpassing that of Ray Charles leading the audience in synchronised clapping. Of course, some designers may just prefer not to have the attention deflected from their clothes.