Dolce & Gabbana put motherhood in the spotlight at Milan Fashion Week

Like all good Italian men, designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana dote on their mammas, and it showed at their catwalk show in Milan Sunday which starred mums with babies and even pregnant models.

First up was Italian actress and model Bianca Balti, resplendent in a pink pregnancy dress, her bump proudly leading the way, as behind her models in pink and black creations with red roses appeared with babies in their arms.

"Ti voglio bene", I love you in Italian, was scrawled in black across creations edged in lace, while "mamma" or "I love you mamma" in English was written round the neck of other rose-strewn numbers.

Even the show's invitation featured a drawing of some affectionate young thing beaming at its mummy -- perhaps the artwork of a younger Dolce or Gabbana.

The problem, as all new mothers know, is that outfits tend to be ruined fairly quickly by babies who insist on throwing up all over them -- not a risk to be taken lightly with clothes which make your credit card squeal.

But some of the Dolce & Gabbana creations deserve an infant-free spin, particularly dresses reminiscent of Angelina Jolie's wedding dress, with childish drawings scribbled all over them.

Stick figures with sticky-out hair and waving arms adorned one bell-skirted, sleeveless dress in white, while another sported the sort of house-and-trees picture everyone remembers drawing in the days before school got serious.

While the love vibe dominated, the collection was given an edge by some serious jewel-encrusted headphones in red and gold for the hip mummy look -- some of which came with a built-in crown.

The autumn/winter 2015 fashion week show wound up with an array of black outfits with looks ranging from professional to sexy nightie. (AFP)

Photos: British Vogue