MILAN - Futuristic warrior sirens, primed for battle, snaked down the Versace catwalk at Milan fashion week on Friday, as Donatella Versace unveiled a collection which tempered aggressive cuts with sensual textures.

The main motif was a featherweight chain mail, worn as panelling down the front of a black leather biker jacket, or heavier silver metal mesh pounded into a breast-plate shape at the heart of a long silver fur coat that gleamed.

A striking canary-yellow bodice in armour-style was adorned with a vast jewelled cross, as if designed to be worn by an avenging Joan of Arc.

The cross theme ran throughout the collection, sparkling in jewels on dark, tight-fitting and highly structured bodices, dresses and coats.

The silhouette was extenuated with patent leather or metallic curves on hips and breasts.

Military-style black velvet and leather coats and dresses were embellished with bronze crosses or silver glitter and worn with fishnet stockings to just below the knee and blood red, pure white or glittering black clutches and bags.

Miniskirts in patent leather and velvet panels were worn with biker jackets with elongated sides, as if protecting the hips in the heat of battle.

Yellow and red dresses with large letters printed on them were intended to "act as jewellery, striking a note between rock and regal," Versace said.

The height of the collection was the evening wear, as bronze or white futuristic dresses with a metallic shine swept along the runway.

Armour-like bustiers sat atop long chain mail or mesh silver skirts which seemed to flow like molten metal, giving their wearers the appearance of being dangerous, but very seductive, sirens.