MILAN, September 26, 2006 – The Moschino show had all the trappings of late-fifties womanhood: the gloves, the bouffant hairdos, the crinolines under the skirts. And suspended at the back of the runway were giant spools of thread, skeins of yarn, and buttons aplenty. But the gals Rosella Jardini designs for aren't the type to sit alone at home on a Saturday night and darn socks. Whether on a hot date or solo, they're ready for the dance floor, here in a strapless black dress that blossomed out below the waist, or a shorter shift sprayed with crystals to catch the light. Tailored pieces, like trenches and curving boleros—along with leggings, some in gold Lurex—gave evening numbers a cool, rockabilly edge.

If these clothes sometimes lack the finesse that you expect from a designer-priced collection, Jardini made up for it with plenty of the spirit the label's known for. She overstitched a white, swingy jacket with black embroidery; laced a rope belt through the oversize grommets of a sailor suit; and, less compellingly, put crocheted sleeves on a coat. She still loves a visual trick, too: A couple of short-sleeve blouses came with long sleeves tied at the chest, mimicking the arms of a sweater tossed smartly over the shoulders. There were floral prints, graphic bull's-eye dots, and plenty of the brand's signature red, including one special bag made from molded plastic in the shape of a heart that neatly summed up the collection's tough yet sweet, and hard-to-dislike, message.

– Nicole Phelps