MILAN - THE latest Gucci collection, presented on Saturday evening, was all about glitz and glam, a throwback to the 1980's when, as Gucci designer Frida Giannini put it, 'Going out was a way of life.'

Inspiration for the fall-winter 2009-2010, with its skin tight trousers, spiked heels and shimmering evening wear, was the 1980's model and fashion icon Tina Chow.

The silhouette is long and lean with emphasis on the leg. Dresses are thigh-high, miniskirts even higher and leggings often replace trousers. Long gowns disappear for evening to be replaced by crystal studded T-shirts worn over silk leggings.

The latest Gucci boot is a high-heeled shoe with an incorporated leather legging. Booties are also paired with silk leggings.

Along with the evening T-shirt, Giannini adds other sport details such as silk jogging pants, and hoods and zips on jackets, to take the edge off the aggressive look. For evening, the sporty look translates into silver jumpsuits or a silk jumpsuit.

While the basic colour palette is dark, fabrics are shinny and sparkling lending a disco feel to the whole collection.

Leather luxury comes in the cropped crocodile jacket worn with the evening wear and the new clutch bag in various sizes.

At the end of the show, Giannini appeared on the runway wearing one of her shimmering T-shirts over iridescent leggings. She looked great. -- AP