A creation by Alexander McQueen
© AFP Francois Guillot PARIS (AFP) - With the delicate wings of a bird enfolding the face, the British designer sent out a model wearing a long speckled dress in feathery brown hues, with tier upon tier of frills like a tail.
At other times, the feathers adorned a tiara or a belted suit. Elsewhere in McQueen's enchanted wood, a dream-like vision of a bride appeared in a cascade of white lace with tall antlers wrapped in a veil.
But back down to earth, his takes on red tartan were perhaps easier options for everyday, such as a high-waisted skirt with a small jacket and smooth leather beret.
With rich, intricate embroidery and sophisticated patterns, Lacroix's magical touch was much in evidence meanwhile for his latest ready-to-wear collection for autumn-winter 2006-07.
Dresses were short but elegant; the youthful spirit was also seen in narrow-lapelled jackets that were short, shaped at the front and cut over the hip, with slightly raised shoulders.
Dark colours mostly dominated, falling into line with the general mood of Paris fashion week, an eight-day fest of catwalk shows by nearly 100 fashion houses from France and abroad. The shows wrap up late on Sunday.
A creation by Christian Lacroix
© AFP Pierre Verdy However, magnificent fuchsia for a coat with three-quarter length sleeves or a peacock blue, silk chiffon dress encrusted with black lace provided a welcome mood swing.
Luxurious materials such as mink for the balloon sleeves of a silk jacquard dress also reflected the opulence of the setting -- the Fine Arts school on the French capital's Left Bank.
Or the southern French designer offered glitzy bronze, yellow gold, black and silver stripes with a 1920s glamour for a short dress or alternatively a fuller-skirted more demure option.
Less clear was the message of Belgian designer Martin Margiela's car seat belts, picture frames over the head and furniture labels dangling from the clothes, all rounded off to the theme from 'Wonder Woman'.
Models passed by in a 'revolving door' wearing a mixed array of clothes that included a beige trench tied at the waist, a yellow satiny shift dress with small studding around the V-neck and a short 'teddy bear' jacket.
Britain's John Galliano is due to wrap up the penultimate day of shows on Saturday, which earlier in the day will include collections by Hermes, Nina Ricci, Kenzo and Chloe, the first offering since Phoebe Philo left in January for personal reasons.
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