Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has kicked off Milan Fashion Week with an industry lunch, as international journalists and buyers descend on the city for six days of runway shows.

Gucci Collection?

Giorgio Armani and Donatella Versace were among the big-name designers that gathered at the Palazzo Reale for the opening reception of Milan Fashion Week. Other guests included Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and Vogue USA Editor Anna Wintour.

On the runway, Alessandro Michele's latest Gucci collection opened like a box of confections, full of frothy surprises - long diaphanous dresses, embroidered silk, and a multitude of ruffles, as well as Michele's trademark snake winding up the neckline.

One dress exemplified Michele's aesthetic: a sheer aqua gown with puffy, princess sleeves and golden belt.

Ultra-feminine pink and aquamarine created the air of a 1950s housewife out on the town in some of the softer looks, while the Gucci trench and leather bomber jacket created an edgier feel.

Michele's notes talked about "a principle of connection and heterogeneity", but there was a return to some of the old standards, including the double GG logo.