Versace, Dolce, Pucci, Gucci, Prada... Italian fashion's mightiest flex their muscles with this season's sportswear-inspired pieces

Neoprene and silk dress, price on request, by Emilio Pucci, 169 Sloane Street, London SW1, 020-7201 8171 (Ruth Hogben)

Versace, Armani, Gucci, Prada, Fendi: these names resonate with power.

Why? Because Italian fashion is composed of power-houses, of designers flexing their might and asserting the strength and dominance of Milan as a fashion capital.

That was the message evident from the spring/summer 2014 shows, in any case, where Italian designers spoke with a strong, convincing voice about their place on the world stage.

After several seasons where Milan seemed to lose its mojo, the athleticism of this year's Italian shows seemed a riposte to doubters, boldly declaring that Italy was still in the race.

Here, photographer Ruth Hogben captures the dynamic vitality of the spring Italian collections on the body of an athlete, rather than a model, the perfect foil for clothing that fuses high-fashion with high-performance sportswear...

Photography: Ruth Hogben

Styling: Celestine Cooney

Model: Georgia Simmons at NGM Models Management

Hair: Tony Collins at Streeters

Make-up: Laura Dominique at Streeters

Manicure: Adam Slee at Streeters

Camera Assistance: Laura Falconer and Chloe Orefice

Styling Assistance: Poppie Clinch, Josie Hall and Callum Knight

Runner: Jana Otte

Retouching: Emma Tunstill at Touch Digital

Production: Gelardin Management

Studio and lighting: Rida Studios