Style of life

Jason Wu, a Michelle Obama fave, shows luxurious coat designs

Victoria Beckham recalls first front row moment

The rooms are well lit by chandeliers, sunshine and the glamour of the world's wealthiest fashion fans. They dress up in gowns and lace sheaths, and make small talk while waiting for the show to begin.

A Chinese client who comes in just minutes before the show peers discreetly into the camera phone to check her already immaculate makeup.

Movie stars and fashion icons who usually highlight a fashion event are nowhere to be seen in this Milanese salon. All the fanaticism is replaced by a sense of intimacy and ultra-exclusivity.

The tradition of haute couture might have originated from Paris, but it is finding a new life in Milan, where designer duo Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have taken it to the next level, Alta Moda, which translates as "high style" in Italian.

While established couture houses in Paris start to pair evening dresses with sneakers this season, Dolce and Gabbana look to all things classic to explore new forms of femininity in their haute couture collection Alta Moda Spring/Summer 2014.

"The unique language of flowers in art, transformed into masterpieces by extraordinary artists like Manet, Cezanne and Van Gogh, and the unique world of every woman, with her passions, her moods, her fragility, have always fascinated us," the duo wrote in the preface of their inspiration book for the show that took place in late January. "We therefore decided to bring these two elements together."