PARIS In Full Bloom - high fashion - Brief Article

Ebony, April, 2000 by Johnson< Eunice W.

Parisian designers greet the spring season with colorful, fanciful garments that beckon warm weather and tropical breezes. Styles ranged from halter-top pant ensembles to dresses with one shoulder or spaghetti straps. Also popular on the runways were corset-tops and variations of the bra-top. French designers seemed to prefer lace, chiffon and silk prints with tropical designs, and they embellished fabrics with beads, embroidery and ruffles. Throughout the various collections were brilliant colors such as bold red, bright yellow and vibrant purple and fuchsia. Whether your destination is a spring gala or a tropical island, the spring fashions from Paris will inspire you to infuse your wardrobe with pretty, breezy and colorful attire.

Halter neck, polka-dot midriff pant ensemble. Accessorized with giant fringed pansy at neck, by Valentino.

Galliano designs cocktail ensemble with Victorian-inspired, high-neck, lace yoke corset top with beaded, fringed and embroidered sleeves and open-front embroidered chiffon skirt revealing G-string underneath. Accessorized with embroidered purse on decorative chain and tall fedora hat with chiffon scarf bow.

Printed chiffon cocktail dress with one ruffled shoulder tied in bow and asymmetrical skirt. Accessorized with matching patent leather purse and one long earring, by Emanuel Ungaro.

Diagonal multi-striped. One-shoulder evening gown by Thierry Mugler Accessorized with clear plastic bracelets.

Sleeveless chiffon cocktail dress with tiered, ruffled skirt, ruffled back collar detail and bow on shoulder. Accessorized with clutch purse and one long drop earring, by Ungaro.

Valentino designs knee-length lace cocktail skirt and bra-strap camisole with scarf hem worn with long-sleeve, open-front crepe jacket. Note: Flowered purse and thong sandals.

Three-piece ensemble by Chanel with lace midriff top, hip-hugger shorts and waist-length quilted jacket with roll-back collar.

Bold print sleeveless top worn over woven skirt with embroidered flower detail, by Christian LaCroix.

Ungaro designs high-neck halter, printed silk cocktail dress. Accessorized with clutch purse and one fringed, beaded earring.

Two-piece midriff pantsuit with zip front embroidered jacket and box pleated waistline, wide cuff pants, by Givenchy.

Mugler designs silk print cocktail dress with multi-colored circles and circular decollete neckline. Accessorized with thick square bracelet and round double circle earrings.

Spaghetti-strap chiffon ruffled top mini cocktail dress. Accessorized with bracelet and one drop earring, by Ungaro.