Pre-renaissance religious ostentation was the name of the game at Dolce & Gabbana this afternoon with jewel encrusted dresses emblazoned with prints of Christian saints taking the duo's fascination with religious iconography to a new gilt-edged level. While you always expect a dose of Sicilian style piety at the label, this season's Byzantine mosaic frescoes, chalice gems and blazing Cardinal red finale brought a gorgeously gaudy flavour to the Dolce & Gabbana temple.

To temper the dazzling opulence, a second, more sober theme was explored through a selection of Hitchcock heroine-worthy tweed dresses and suits. In a black, white and grey palette, severe, but figure-honing cuts brought to mind a seriously chic parishioner. Tailoring encompassed a new three piece suit consisting of a jacket with a curved hip layered with a slightly longer peplum sitting atop of a midi length skirt- all furnished in the modest tweed.

The pair's signature black lace provided the fabrication for several sensual dresses- but in the context of the semi-precious stone-leaden dazzlers they looked really quite restrained. Lighter white and red lace minis and oversized t-shirts teamed with high cut knickers added a youthful note to the procession.

But it was the simply awe-inspiring, glistening gems and richness of the lapis lazuli and brassy gold palette that made this collection a wonder to behold. When the models returned for their finale in red lace dripping in ruby jewels the audience had completed their fashion conversion en masse. This was a vision of heaven in which anyone might find succour.