Milan puts on good fashion show in tough times

Despite tough economic times, Italian designers are putting on a good show this week as they present womenswear for fall-winter 2009-2010.

"I can't believe how upbeat they are here," said American fashion writer Mary Lou Luther, creative director of The Fashion Group International. Luther noted that recession concerns were so much on people's minds during the recent New York shows that they were mentioned in show notes, usually reserved for collection descriptions.

Not that the Milan runway has been spared economic problems during the current fashion week.

Roberto Cavalli canceled his second line Just Cavalli show, scheduled for Thursday, …