Milan's out as Ward has designs on film

STAR Australian catwalk model Gemma Ward has skipped Milan's fashion week to work alongside Liv Tyler in a Hollywood horror movie.

STAR Australian catwalk model Gemma Ward has skipped Milan's fashion week to work alongside Liv Tyler in a Hollywood horror movie.

The 18-year-old has featured in Calvin Klein, Valentino and Dolce & Gabbana campaigns since being discovered by Italian designer Miuccia Prada.

But despite success on international runways - where top talent can demand $25,000 a show - she has always been drawn to acting.

Burberry creative director Christopher Bailey, who chose Ward to front the label during Kate Moss's spell in the sin-bin last summer, said he had begged her to lead his Milan parade.

"I couldn't have gotten on my knees more," Mr Bailey said yesterday.

"She had something very important going on in LA. I was devastated."

Ward has been cast in Strangers as one of three masked home invaders who terrorise Tyler. The film is to be released in October next year. She is also in upcoming Australian film The Black Balloon with Toni Collette.

Ward's absence was not the only problem for Burberry's Milan show. Three protesters from the animal rights group PETA leapt on to the catwalk to unfurl banners reading, "Burberry: Fur Shame." Fur was missing from Burberry's spring-summer 2007 collection of silvery, swingy trench coats, high-waisted shirt-dresses and gem-encrusted cocktail frocks. But the winter line, in-store soon, features fur trench coats and fur-trimmed skirts.

"Everyone has the right to their point of view, but there's a time and a place for it," Mr Bailey said before his public relations staff gagged questions on fur.

The closest Giorgio Armani came to controversy was his leopard-print look for sheer chiffon trousers.

As actor Leonardo DiCaprio eyed the models from the front row, Armani showed sharp-shouldered androgynous trouser suits, scalloped ankle-length skirts and elaborately beaded strapless evening gowns with nary a knee in sight.

"It's more sensual to cover the legs," he said. "This is a sophisticated chic. The trousers are fluid, and worn with low-heeled shoes, but the top is extremely feminine. It's not too eclectic."

Dolce & Gabbana had no such qualms about their 1980s flashback collection for youth line D&G. Dressed like punk dominatrix Barbie dolls in stretch-lace leggings, gold-mesh tops, patent leather corsets and eye-achingly bright tights, models stomped out in lethal-weapon shoes studded with 2cm spikes.