ENTERTAINMENT DAILY: PARIS FASHION

(10 Jul 2000) Eng/French/Nat

STORY: PARIS FASHION - DIOR, VERSACE, GAULTIER, GIVENCHY
LOCATION: PARIS
DATE: 8/9 JULY 2000

Eyecatching, unforgettable haute couture were the watchwords in Paris this weekend, as the showings for Autumn/Winter 2000-2001 were unveiled.

Elle MacPherson and Steven Spielberg were among the guests eager to see what John Galliano had come up with for CHRISTIAN DIOR.

He offered costume rather than wearability, with a mock wedding complete with a jewelled orthodox priest, resplendent bride and groom, and an assortment of guests most weddings would prefer not to entertain.

The 1,300-strong crowd watched as supermodel Sophie Dahl flounced on in a fetish maid's outfit, another model followed as a naughty nurse complete with syringe.

There was a sheperdhess in a silk floral dress, and a guest in a wine red corset dress with a puffy satin skirt.

Masked carnival characters had striped polka-dotted fur coats, and in one case a gold bikini. The fantasy romantic clothes included a crocodile dress with a bone necklace and a crocodile head with an a arrow through it, and a brown dress stitched with gold stars.

Galliano took his final bow in top hat and tails, with a silver curled wig.

The British bad boy of fashion Alexander McQueen gave what's rumoured to be one of his last shows for Givenchy. While there are doubts over whether his contract will be renewed, his imagination is unquestioned after a flamboyant show based around a fantasy house party.

Ivana Trump was in the audience, who watched as fake walls scrawled with 'Givenchy' dropped away to reveal a furnished 'room' complete with a party in full swing.

McQueen describes the designs as a 'collection for women who want to stand out'. He offered a mix of wearable chic that will inspire ready to wear clothes, and outrageous outfits that will simply stick in the mind.

There were silk kimono tops, dresses in lace, or with sparkling crystals, and plenty of memorable headwear. A green bikini and matching green leather coat were offset by enormous pink fluffy boots and an ornate headdress.
Cat lovers could enjoy the cat mask hat paired with a black knee length suit with fur collar, while bird watchers were offered a canary yellow off the shoulder dress with ostrich feathers and a canary on the shoulder strap.

McQueen offered plenty of gold, lots of fur, and an insight into his imagination. Like the rest of the weekend's Paris Fashion, it was unforgettable.

Meanwhile VERSACE went for sexy, wearable clothes for real women, courtesy of Donatella Versace.

Fur featured heavily, with bicolour mink and fox coats draped over luxurious dresses. Delicately fashioned vest tops in salmon or bright almond green lit up beige short skirts. Similarly beige hotpants were paired with bright transparent blouses. Evening dresses came in rust orange, white or purple, usually sequinned or jewelled and cut low or backless.

There were ostrich feather coats in green or copper, cut to the knee to emulate the flappers of the twenties. Since her brother Gianni was killed in 1997, Donatella has been building on the Versace reputation for sexy designs, and her latest show has been hailed as another success.


Milla herself had her hair feathered and wore a long sleeved black velvet gown. Model Alec Wek wore another black evening gown with beading, and yet more Eiffel Tower details.


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