second skin

Sleek, shiny and supple, with the bonus of sexual allure, leather has been taken up by young British designers. Tristan Webber, a superb craftsman, dresses the femme fatale, while Alexander McQueen and Antonio Berardi team go-faster stripes with intricate cutting achieved by the latest technology. Styling by Sophia Neophitou. Photographs by Desmond Muckian

Left Black leather top with rose cut out, pounds 330, and matching skirt, pounds 465, both by Alexander McQueen, available from A La Mode, 36 Hans Crescent, London SW1 (0171-584 2133); black ankle boots, pounds 295, by Gina for Ghost, available from a range at Ghost, 36 Ledbury Road, London W1(0171-229 1057); black cuff, to order from Seraph, available from a range at Ghost, 36 Ledbury Road London W11 Right Long black leather gloves, pounds 150, by Tristan Webber, to order 0171-392 2196

This page Red perforated jacket, pounds 410, by Seraph, available from Ghost, 13 Hinde Street, London W1; black leather mini skirt, pounds 500, by Gianni Versace, available from 34-36 Old Bond Street,london W1 Black zig-zag leather dress, approx pounds 930, by Antonio Berardi, available at A La Mode, as before; red cuff by Seraph, as before; red lace-up mule, pounds 275, by Manolo Blahnik for Antonio Berardi, as before Hair Philippe Baligan for Atlantis

Make-up Cynthia Baligan

Model Jade Parfitt at Models One