A Karl Lagerfeld creation for Chanel
© AFP Francois GuillotPARIS (AFP) - Even a sweet, capped-sleeved 'Little Black Dress' sprinkled with a modern version of Coco Chanel's favourite camellias was teamed with high boots that looked like jeans -- as well as long denim gloves.
"The attitude is stronger like this," the veteran German designer said after Thursday's catwalk show, adding: "It would be too simple to put a pair of jeans under a dress."
Dressed in demure black with a jazzy metallic collar and Chanel sunglasses, the arrival of Australian pop diva Kylie Minogue, due to resume her "Showgirl" tour later this year after breast cancer surgery, prompted a mad flurry of camera flashes.
Karl Lagerfeld(R) and one of his models
© AFP Francois Guillot Her Rhodesian Ridgeback dog, Sheeba, caused almost as much fuss.
British rocker Elton John who attended Dior men's show earlier in the week also sat up-front at Chanel, one of the most eagerly-anticipated shows on the three-day autumn-winter 2006-07 haute couture calendar.
After opting to showcase last season's collection in the vast 19th century Grand Palais amply illuminated by its huge glass ceiling, the iconic fashion house this time turned to a kind of big top on the edge of a Paris forest.
But the circus tent was immaculate white, bathed in light from the summer sun and almost blindingly bright, as models took to the circled runway around the edge, in front of an audience seated facing outwards.
At the end, it was the guests who were slowly spinned.
A Karl Lagerfeld creation for Chanel
© AFP Francois GuillotLayering was again key to the Chanel look. When boots were not jeans they were black to give the impression of loose leggings, bringing strong contrast to the rich fabrics and jewel details.
Lagerfeld kept his silhouette either starkly straight, clean and angular, or gently puffed, but always short for skirts, coats and dresses, whose sleeves were either cutely capped or cut to the elbow over long gloves.
"The high gloves are the boots of the arms," the pony-tailed designer quipped.
A neat black coat with shiny trim embodied young modernity for practical day wear, while rich embroidery or colourful jewels punctuated the waist or shoulders on dressy short and long frocks.
For a 1960s bridal look, Lagerfeld edged a long-sleeved white tunic with tone-on-tone stones, over white boots to mid-thigh and a veil, in further affirmation of the themes of this collection.
France's Christian Lacroix will unveil his collection later Thursday.
©AFP