King of neutrals Giorgio Armani worked in nude for couture autumn 2013, a whole spectrum of them on tailored pieces and dresses. There were feathers and trim, too, and then a fine filigree black lace, encrusted with Swarovski crystals covered kimono-cut suiting and trousers, developing finally into a bustier ballgown, nude but topped with that trim to give an impression of texture and of airiness achieved with light layers of crinoline.

The collection was subliminally sophisticated in a way that didn't shout about the complexity of its construction, despite hitting the record width for the bottom of a skirt at 47 meters, but rather implied that with the simplicity of its aspect. Armani gave himself no frills or furbelows to hide behind - and that is just as his customers want.