Fashions 2000 - Brief Article

Ebony, Dec, 1999 by Eunice W. Johnson

The year 2000 is here and designers around the world have let their imaginations soar to create some of the most innovative and daring fashions to grace the Parisian Couture runways. Several designers show sassy evening ensembles, including a voluminous opera coat over slinky pants and bustier and even a platinum beaded silver top that weighs more than 20 pounds. Shown on this page).

In fact, there is something that excite and please a variety of from sleek and sexy to opulent and elegant to classy and sassy. And surprising touches are abundant. A one-shoulder soft as satin leather gown is trimmed with a huge silver fox collar while another gown is made entirely of feathers. Many of the designers accent their creations with elaborate hairstyles and ornaments.

So get ready for the new year and the new century, and take inspiration from these audacious designs to carry you in style into the next millennium.

Jean-Louis Scherrer

Inspired by dramatic appeal of fashions for the year 2000, Jean Louis Scherrer's couture collection includes this two-piece, floor-length ensemble of black crepe A-line skirt with train in hand, worn under gold abstract metal rods fitted at waist with double bands, fanning upward and downward with metal points spreading in both directions.

Louis Feraud

Louis Feraud designs allover crusted, beaded, long-sleeve, round-neck top worn over horizontally Fortuny pleated, metallic, floor-length paneled skirt. Accessorized with long stole tied with jewel cords at each end. Note: High neck choker and sparkling jewels in hair decoration.

Pierre Balmain

Strapless jumpsuit with overlay of silk, double-georgette cockle laced with feathers worn under silk taffeta, long-sleeve evening coat with oversized gathered ruffle collar and deep ruffle bordering entire coat, by Pierre Balmain. Note: Drop necklace and earrings.

Lapidus

High V-neck, printed chiffon evening ensemble with draped, gathered skirt worn under cocoon-shaped polished cotton, three-quarter-length wrap by Lapidus. Accessorized with long bicolor amber necklace.

Christian Lacroix

Above: Two-piece evening ensemble, long, floor-length black dress with wide ruffle collar embroidered at the hemline worn under wool tri-colored coat inside and colorful printed abstract design outside.

Above right: Round-neck knitted two-piece dress with colorful yarn decoration worn under a three-quarter-length coat of synthetic human-like hair with bleached blond tips, decorative corsage on shoulder and hat. Note: Circular drop earrings. Both designs by Christian Lacroix.

Valentin Yudashkin

Spectacular peek-a-boo, bugle-beaded, form-fitting, long-sleeve, turtleneck evening ensemble by Valentin Yudashkin of Rome. Note: Fan-shaped draped hair style.

Lapidus

Floor-length silk taffeta evening ensemble with one drop shoulder displaying jewel cowl, crushed bronze gathered taffeta strips on shoulder that forms deep collar mohair bodice and skirt with bustle in back from waist to floor, by Lapidus. Note: Exotic hairstyle.

Dominique Sirop

Dominique Sirop designs one-shoulder leather evening ensemble with huge silver fox circular collar and spaghetti strips of leather fringe from waist to floor.

Jean-Louis Scherrer

Fly like a bird in year 2000 in Jean-Louis Scherrer's floor-length back train, all over coq- and ostrich-feathered, halter-neck ball gown with stand-up feather collar doubling as headdress.

Louis Feraud

Louis Feraud designs horizontally striped, long-sleeve evening ensemble with turtleneck stand-away collar. Accessorized with long, bicolor contrasting reversible stole.