Leather coats in basic black do not quite cut it anymore. Instead, designers showed a preference for patterns and colours.

John Galliano payed homage to World War II style at Christian Dior (11) with military coats, bomber jackets and even helmets made in khaki, olive and brown leather.

Shades of green are also in. Coat-dresses at Prada (12) approached a vinyl appearance in pale green, while Bottega Veneta offered an off-shoulder leather dress in teal.

While Karl Lagerfeld's Shanghai-inspired collection for Chanel (13) stuck faithfully to black, appliqued leather camellias adorned black leather leggings and a leather jacket and skirt combo.

>> Metallic armour

This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times.