Donatella Versace unveiled her much anticipated Fall/Winter 2005/2006 collection in Milan on Thursday, presenting ready-to-wear range along with some Oscar-ready gowns.

Slim cigarette trousers, halter dresses, oversized tops with plunging necklines, overcoats and blousons with large collars, dresses with nipped-in waists and siren gowns encrusted with Swarowski crystals were all a part of Versace’s new line, marked by sophistication, elegance and wearability rather than the raunchiness of previous years. The prevailing colors of the season were black, white, and beige, with some splashes of chocolate, lime, fuchsia, violet and turquoise.

"It is cool rather than chic. I hate chic - it's such an outdated concept," said the 49-year-old designer after the show.

Among the front-row guests were designers Miuccia Prada and Canadian twins Dean and Dan Caten, who will present their DSquared2 collection on Saturday, US hip-hop star Missy Elliott and British model-actress Liz Hurley, who is a friend of Donatella and big fan of Versace designs. Moreover, it has recently been reported that the designer is to create two gowns for the 39-year-old celebrity’s wedding to her boyfriend Arun Naya -- a red sari for the ceremony in India and an elegant white dress for another one in Britain.

Hurley’s first impression made by the label dates back to 1994 when she wowed the crowd at the London premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral by wearing a black Versace dress that was held together by nothing more than safety pins. "That dress was a favor from Versace because I couldn't afford to buy one. His people told me they didn't have any evening wear, but there was one item left in their press office. So I tried it on and that was it," said the star.