Antiquity inspires Dolce & Gabbana in Milan collection

MILAN, Italy - Fashion duo Dolce&Gabbana looked back to the ancient past of Domenico Dolce's native Sicily for their new collection in Milan on Sunday, featuring prints of Greek temples and gold coin necklaces.

Models sashayed down the runway to a mix of Fellini film soundtracks by renowned cinema composer Nino Rota in a selection that evoked antiquity and the natural beauty of spring on the island when the almond trees are in flower.

The spring/summer 2014 collection for Milan Fashion Week featured dresses, short tunics and poncho-style jackets that had almond branch patterns and the white and pink buds applied to the fabric for a three-dimensional effect.

There were also more traditional polka-dot dresses in black-and-white and red-and-black, as well as the brand's signature black lace dresses.

The company said in a note that the collection was "an imaginary journey to rediscover ancient Sicily, where history and myth come together".

The models had their hair up in braids like Greek goddesses and wore tiaras made of almond flowers or gold coins.

There were also tiny handbags decorated with temple facade patterns and belts of chunky coins linked together.

The collection concluded with a dazzling array of gold lace dresses.