Reporting from Milan, Italy -- Being a woman is a blood sport, according to Miuccia Prada, who on Sunday showed her own powerful vision of the tough chic that is emerging as one of the biggest fashion trends for fall. And it didn't involve the rocker wear we've seen from so many other Italian labels, including Gucci.


The arena seating should have been a clue. Prada's vision suggested female gladiators dressed to kill in mannish, rust-colored coats slit up the sides like loincloths; jeweled, fringed suede tunic dresses and wool tabards with fur breastplates.

The cold, harsh world is no match for these warrior women, pounding the pavement in crepe-soled shoe boots, braving the floods in rubber gators and warding away the competition in killer heels with suede plumage.


Sexuality is also a fierce weapon, as demonstrated by a crimson burnout velvet dress with a deep V front, tweed skirt suits belted tight to emphasize an hourglass shape, a crystal-dusted workaday attaché case and the scarlet glitter eye shadow revealed when models batted their eyes.