MILAN, September 26, 2006 – With Star Wars theme music—R2-D2 sound effects, and all—pumping through the speakers, Veronica Etro's lively sixties romp bordered on camp. Less a space-age take on that decade than an eclectic reprise of its bohemian-hippie stylings, the show had paisley silks, patchwork prints, and sequins arrayed in a magic-mushroom motif, all on a base of black opaques and silver platforms. Miniskirts were pleated or flat-front and worn with spring's three-quarter-sleeve, collarless jackets. Dresses ranged from a sleeveless white shift with swirls of geometric color to a pleated black shirtgown tied at the waist, and full trousers were shown with silk blouses and side-fastening vests. She even tossed in a few rompers for kicks.

Ignore the tunes—which gave catwalker Irina Lazareanu, as well as some in the audience, a case of the giggles—and set aside some of the more outré looks—like the overlong floral palazzo pants, which caused a major spill during Lazareanu's finale lap—and there were winning pieces here. Etro had the season's smock, shirtwaist, and T-shirt dresses—all in a boldly confident mix of colors and kaleidoscopic prints that has become just as big a calling card as the house's famous paisleys.

– Nicole Phelps