Rock fanfare for Versace

NEW YORK (AP) - With its requisite celebrity-studded audience and blaring rock music, the house of Versace unveiled its latest collection at the weekend as New York's fashion week began with a flourish.

It was the first New York showing of the line since the principal designer Gianni Versace was shot dead last July.

The invitation-only crowd of 700 included film director Woody Allen and his wife, Soon-Yi Previn, actress Elizabeth Hurley, and singers Sheryl Crow and k.d. lang. The clothes on show were designed by Versace's sister, Donatella.

The men's line was made primarily of black fabrics, from high-buttoned jackets to leather pants. For the women, there were silver flapper dresses and leggings draped with narrow-cut skirts.