Bare bottoms at dominatrix show in Milan

MILAN - Canadian label DSquared2 went dominatrix at the penultimate day of Milan fashion week on Monday with bondage dresses and chain whips, while Roberto Cavalli presented an Art Nouveau-inspired collection.

For those who dare, bottoms can be worn practically bare next season, with DSquared2's spring/summer 2013 range of extremely mini all-in-ones, hot-pants turned thongs, and dresses made of straps that left nothing to the imagination.

There was nothing subtle about the creations, which designer twins Dean and Dan Caten described as "unapologetically sexy and rigorous glamour" -- and the models threw aside common catwalk etiquette for provocative pouts and poses.

The outfits were mainly black -- blinged up with bulky, long gold chains -- and skin-tight dresses or miniskirts with a flounce and a sheen were worn with mean-looking patent caps or hats with huge diamond-adorned decorations.

The were splashes of colour: a blood-red skirt, a pink jacket worn with hotpants and studded leather cuffs, and a grey and pink ruffle-hemmed dress with a vast flowing train -- as well as the label's trademark denim skirts.

Roberto Cavalli was bound to be tame in comparison: the Italian designer famed for his love of animal prints and nature created a series of slinky, sensuous dresses and blouses with Art Nouveau-style plant and leopard prints.

The show kicked off with an all-white collection of suits and blouses worn with trousers in ripped material -- an idea developed across the collection with skirts slit to the waist and dresses in slashed material to reveal skin.

Layering -- a key theme this season in Milan -- gave extra volume and movement, with skirts hemmed in bands of lace or leather, and sheer skirts worn over trousers -- many of which were transparent to reveal the legs beneath.

Padded shoulders on suit jackets gave the look structure and were worn with high-heeled sandals which bore this season's obligatory double platform.

Rather surprisingly for a show presenting such sheer, light clothes, an unnerving melody and anxiety-inducing beat gave the impression that the women wearing these animal-inspired creations were little more than prey themselves.