The ornate venue – the wood-panelled Oak Room in the grand old Plaza Hotel – felt a bit like a gentleman’s club. Not the lapdancing kind, but the proper sort. It turned out to be appropriate as Philosophy’s entire spring collection was made almost entirely from necktie silks.

Alberta Ferretti had no interest in exploring masculine dressing, though. The first look said it all: a striped and spotted pencil skirt, patchworked from these colourful silks, worn with a bra top (alas, the midriff is definitely in this season).

Short shorts, bustiers, strapless dresses, blazers and tailored suiting all followed, cut together from this unexpected fabric. A few lovely floral brocade pieces were the only exception.

It was a strong idea that still managed to look fresh and pretty. We might wear our pencil skirts with a shirt, though.