Fashion fun game

Elegant and luxurious fashions set the standard for creations from French designers this fall. As always, Valentino showed exquisite designs that epitomize class and grace. Christian Lacroix demonstrated his penchant for extravagance, while Yves Saint Laurent elevated the little black dress to a pedestal befitting a princess. On the other hand, Christian Dior and John Galliano showcased styles that surely will thrill and inspire young sophisticated trendsetters. Leather and fur continue to be popular, and fabric choices ranged from silk crepe to heavy satins to fluid jersey-like knits and sexy see-through sheers. Overall, luxury was the resounding theme on Parisian runways.

Valentino

Elegance characterizes VALENTINO's gold satin, below-the-knee, long-sleeved dress with double layered satin collar that drapes over decollete bodice. Accessorized with leather boots and fox-trimmed jacket.

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VALENTINO designs three-piece evening ensemble with empire tied leather jacket and lace blouse with elongated scalloped cuffs, worn with 10-gored palazzo pants. Accessorized with black and gold bag and gold boots.

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LaCroix

Right: CHRISTIAN LACROIX's tea-length hand-painted colunm gown with gold and black abstract motif cascades down off-centered front split trimmed in three-layered ruffle. Decorated with five-cord spaghetti straps on one shoulder and three-tier collar on other. Accessorized with gold sandals and gold chandelier earrings.

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Yves Saint Laurent

Brings Back The Little Black Dress

YVES SAINT LAURENT gives new meaning and sass to the importance of the little black dress. His satin, above-the-knee sheath dress (above, left) has decollete keyhole neckline with ribbon-tie and ornately ruffled and tucked cuffs. His exquisite cocktail dress (above) also has intricately detailed sleeves, puffed from mid-upper arm and gathered into satin cuffs. Horizontal hem stitching gives peek-a-boo effect. Decorated with ribbon bow in front. At left is another luxurious, form-fitting black dress, this one of brocade with scoop neckline and cap sleeves. Note: Black velvet choker.

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Understatements Contrast Overstatements

For the daring and young at heart, DIOR design gathered gold and burnt-orange miniskirt (right) worn with midriff-baring fur jacket with opulent sleeves. Below right worn with midriff-baring fun jacket with opulent sleeves. Below right Dior continues the fanciful, oversized theme with brown leather zip-front jacket with flap and zip pockets, and exaggerated shoulders.

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CHLOE creates sophisticated look with asymmetrical gray velvet brocade Mandarin-collared jacket with floral stitching, layered over minidress and pin-striped pants.

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GALLIANO's attention-grabbing costumy ensemble features macramed fringe layer over sheer strapless dress, artistically inspired fur trimmed jewelry around neck and helmet-like leather hat with shaggy maroon yarn pile.

Note: Feather eyebrow accent.

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