Versace's fall/winter line shouts color

VIDEO CNN's Elsa Klensch takes a closer look at Versace's bold, geometric prints Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)     FALL/ WINTER 2000 Collections: Cynthia Rowley Calvin Klein Armani Versace Designer shoes Kenneth Cole Anna Sui De la Renta Valentino McQueen Gucci Chloe Prada Dolce & Gabbana Michael Kors Ralph Lauren Marc Jacobs

From Elsa Klensch
CNN Style Correspondent

MILAN (CNN) -- With strong, geometric, Pucci-inspired prints, accessories piled on and hair piled high, Donatella Versace's collection for fall/winter 2000 has an irrepressibly sexy message.

And it starts with color.

"Color is important in this collection, but in a different way," Versace said recently.

The designer said she started with skin tone colors, her favorite being what she calls blush. Others include a combination with cherry and yellow, "very light green," and khaki green.

"I wanted colors that were sober, because I've done a fabric -- very important and very shiny," she said, noting that the shininess provides a stronger silhouette.

"I concentrate on shapes and cut, and tailoring more than fabric combinations," she said.

The collection also features geometric prints.

"But the way that we print this geometric print ... we follow the body. And the way we cut the dress to make the waist look smaller or to make the back look drapy -- we did the print to follow the shape of the body."

Versace pantsuits swing down the runway, clearly shaped in contrasting pieces. Jackets are short and waisted.

"My favorite pantsuit is done in cherry color and all this is a very classic fabric with, like, a bustier," Versace said. "Very, very sexy."

Versace's evening dresses swirl with color. Fabrics vary, but chiffon -- lightly printed or fully beaded -- steals the show.

"I love doing evening (wear). People love to buy Versace evening, so why shouldn't I do it?" she asked. "And the most important dress for me is a very sexy black chemise, long-sleeve, open in the front."

Versace emphasizes a mixture of textures, and makes sure the clothes aren't very tight.

"It's loose. It's not attached to the body -- that's what makes it sexy: that kind of looseness," she said.

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Versace

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