Modern minimalism went out the window Friday night when Veronica Etro took us back to nature and the Italian countryside for her Spring showcase.

Bohemian collided with ballerina in a surge of folksy flowing frocks that hit the runway complete with layers of vintage-tinged ruffles, making the Italian farm life feel luxe and ornate. The whole collection breathed fresh romance with light as air silks decorated with metallic, baroque microprints.

Save for one tomato red dress, the line stuck to outdoorsy tones: shell-hued whites, sandy beiges, deep-sea blues and mossy greens. As feminine as the collection was, Etro managed to maintain a certain undone edge to it all, making sure the feel was earthy and airy to balance out the gilded, girly effect.

Shop: current season Etro

With Miuccia Prada's nod to modern businesswomen and now Donatella Versace's troops of tough military femmes, it's safe to say that Italy's powerhouse design matriarchs are setting the sartorial spring standard for female empowerment.

Top models the likes of Raquel Zimmerman, Joan Smalls, Liya Kebede, Edie Campbell and Natasha Poly made their way down the runway, starting strong with utilitarian blazers and vests in basic shades of camel and olive, cinched at the waist for a structural silhouette and leg to spare.

There was no shortage of the line's signature sex appeal amongst all the tough girl vibes; think shimmering minis and torso-long cutouts on evening dresses that stopped where the leg slit began. The most conservative of looks were sporty, flowing pantsuits whose short shorts counterparts were styled with open jackets and bandeaus in lieu of shirts. Psychedelic animal prints were Versace's version of urban camouflage, standing out in a textural mix of neon greens, purples and reds against the oxbloods, military greens and solid blacks.

Shop: current season Versace

-Emma Ranniger