Soft silhouettes … bold colors - French Fashions For Spring & Summer - Brief Article

French designers live up to their reputations and deliver dazzling spring designs that flaunt and flatter the feminine form. Silky sheer chiffon is the fabric of choice for several, and there are also fabrics with intricate cutouts, elegant sequins, beads and ornate appliques. The recurring theme was ruffles, fringe, gathers and ribbons, all of which showed up in various forms on dresses, skirts, pants and blouses. Leather and suede also continue to be popular, for garments and for accessories such as belts. While many of the fashions epitomize the softness of romance, others are overflowing with youthful exuberance. The French spring collections with its soft silhouettes and bold colors offer intriguing designs for a wide range of style preferences.

Blue silk chiffon Greek goddess gown is layered and draped with one accordion-pleated sleeve by Icarius.

Valentino designs dazzling, transparent orange chiffon ensemble with ornate, layered, ruffled tunic accented with jeweled hipster belt. Note: Matching sandals.

White high-collar blouse with embroidered floral and leaf cutout pattern is paired with black sheer pants with white polka-dots and chiffon handkerchief insets, by Valentino.

Bright yellow off-the-shoulder, knee-length dress has ruffled peasant neckline and hemline, by Celine. Accessorized with floral hip sash with daisy buckle that also accents yellow sandals.

Body-hugging, deep decolletage, cowl-draped, cream-colored silk column gown accented with swirling bead design, by Ungaro. Peach colored beads drape shoulders and decorate neckline.

Designer Icarius makes bold statement with golden yellow and white jacket with leg-of-mutton sleeves and one oversized lapel, worn over yellow blouse and matching bikini shorts. Note: Ornate abstract embroidery on jacket front and sleeves.

Celine's brown-and-white print ensemble pairs shirred tube top with knee-length skirt with shirred dropped waist, accessorized with matching head-wrap. Note: Large brown leather belt draping hips and brown leather sandals.

Celine also uses same type of brown belt to accent turquoise sheer lace baby doll dress with ruffles at cuffs and hemline, worn over matching halter-neck bikini.

Pretty and sedate, Chloe's soft tan ensemble consists of deep V-neck top with puff sleeves, worn under vest and over pant with diagonal applique design.

Yves Saint Laurent's peplum jacket with collarless neckline is worn over knee-length tan suede skirt with brown accent across front and down sides.

Dazzling ensemble by Galliano combines colorful mixed prints with quilted look. Hooded argyle-patterned blouse is worn over full skirt and cropped pants, topped with black leather jacket with colorful trim on lapels and cuffs. Note: Socks worn with sandals and colorful bag over shoulder.

For the young at heart and in spirit, Alexander McQueen designs muted red and black ensemble with large polka-dot, long-sleeve blouse worn under small dotted apron jumper with asymmetrical gathered skirt, all tied together with multiple string belts. Note: Red T-strap high heel shoes.

Triple-belted white pant ensemble by designers Viktor & Rolf. White blouse has large collar trimmed in green, bib front, long sleeves and cuffs with bows and sashes. Note: Chunky necklace and lace gloves.

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COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group