MILAN, Feb 24, 2011 (AFP) - Dynamic women who know how to enjoy themselves were the opening motif of Milan's Fashion Week and fashionistas waited to see if other designers would seek inspiration from die-hard party animals.

Fendi, D&G and Prada are set to sweep the catwalks Thursday on the second day of the event in Italy's fashion capital, as well as MaxMara, Haute and Ermanno Scervino.

Alberta Ferretti - AW 2011-12 / Foto: Pixel Formula

The Gucci, Alberta Ferretti and John Richmond shows on the opening day glanced back to the 1970s, featuring fur stoles, satin bow-tie blouses and wide-legged trousers.

Gucci's Frida Giannini charmed with silk culottes and magnificent stoles of fox, mink and goat hair, topped with violet hats adorned with emerald green and teal feathers and worn rakishly with full-sleeved dresses and pant-skirts.

The look, Giannini said, captured "a contemporary female dandy who fuses glamour and seduction... a polished woman with a decisive personality, who is attentive to detail and willing to dare."

John Richmond's muse was the younger woman who loves to party. The British designer stuck to his classic rock style with models who strolled the mirrored runway in leather, denim and back-combed hair.

"I had fun with this collection, it's really vamp. I wanted it to be all about women who enjoy partying," he told AFP backstage after the show.

John Richmond - AW 2011-12 / Foto: Pixel Formula

There was a touch of the 70s again, with copper-coloured suits featuring flared trousers and military jackets offset with short fur sleeves or large ear muffs.

"It's about the intelligent woman who enjoys dressing up, having her make-up done and going out and having a great time," he said with a grin, champagne in hand.

His enthusiasm was echoed in Alberta Ferretti's collection, which she said was inspired by the "dynamic woman of the future".

Ferretti's exquisitely tailored designs had a 1960s touch, with wide tunics in blocks of orange, emerald green, teal and fuschia lifted by glittering sequin details on the lapel or cuff.

Her eveningwear starred a sleeveless satin all-in-one with flared trousers, a full-length bronze dress with bow at the back, and coral and light blue translucent dresses that seemed to float.

"I feel a positive energy. There may be some nostalgic touches in my collection, but it's important to be looking to the future, making something for today's women, who live a demanding world," she said.

As Prada, Fendi and others take their turns on the catwalks, fashionistaa will be watching to see whether the mix of wistfulness and optimism inspired by playful dandyish women will continue.

The first show of Thursday is MaxMara, whose prefall collection -- a clue as to possible themes for the winter season -- contained fox-scarves and wide-legged suits, suggesting hints of nostalgia may crop up here as well.

by Ella Ide