LAURA CRAIK: Prada knees-up as stars descend on Milan

At the Prada show in Milan on Tuesday, knee-length skirts were back – and there was definitely no skirting the issue.

The show, held on the first day of Milan Fashion Week, drew a starry guest list of Hollywood A-listers, including actresses Naomi Watts, Emilia Clarke, Michelle Williams, Sadie Sink, Molly Gordon, and Uma Thurman, who was accompanied by her actress daughter, Stranger Things star Maya Hawke.

They were joined by model Alexa Chung and influencers Nara Smith and Chiara Ferragni.

Bar a handful of dresses, almost all of the guests were wearing knee-length skirts of the sort that designer Miuccia Prada has championed – and worn – throughout her career.

Some opted for Nineties-style slip skirts, while others, such as Ms Watts, went for pleated versions in bold prints.

If trousers are more your thing, you might want to look away now – it was knee-length skirts and little else, in a dizzying array of colours and prints, including box pleat, kick pleat, kilt, pencil, slip and wraparound styles.

Details included brocade panelling, chiffon overlays and sequin embroidery.

While the skirts were easy to wear, the bras were deliberately less so. 

Michelle Williams, Naomi Watts and Uma Thurman attend the Prada Spring/Summer 2027 womenswear Fashion Show

Beauty and the pleat: Uma Thurman in Milan on Tuesday

Both are part of the brand's DNA – as are the Sixties prints, slingback shoes and bowling bags that featured throughout the show.

Some fans might wish Prada had shown a wider variety of looks. Others would concur that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Whatever your view, where Prada leads, the high street follows.

At 77, she's still one of the most influential designers in the game.