[kimair]

paris continued...

Linda Dresner, owner, Linda Dresner, New York and Birmingham, Mich.: "I feel individuality is more important than ever. There's so much to choose from and it's all expensive, so it better have a message. [Given the strong euro], we're spending as much, but bringing home less. We're trying to choose clothes that are animated and wearable at the same time. There was a hint of English tailoring, a lot of interesting sweaters and fur everywhere in chubbies and vests: sometimes fake, sometimes real and mixed with leather. We loved the black dresses at Balenciaga, Undercover's wonderful tunics and ponchos, the fake Persian coat with the cutout lips at Comme des Garçons, Junya Watanabe's strict suits with caped backs and long curving skirts — very seductive — and Tao's mohair dresses."

Elizabeth and Dominick Lepore, owners of Jimmy's, Brooklyn and the Hamptons, N.Y.: "Our standout collections in Paris were Balmain, Rick Owens, Elie Saab, Emanuel Ungaro and Giambattista Valli. After a season of print and color, the little black dress looks so fresh again. The new dark leg continues to be seen with texture, looking newest with colored heavy shoes."

Ann Watson, vice president and fashion director, Henri Bendel: "Paris can best be summed up as a tension of opposites. The severity of austerity chic as exemplified by YSL and Louis Vuitton contrasted against the more opulent mix of colors, furs and prints and patterns featured at Dries Van Noten and John Galliano. Key messages were the long and lean silhouette, the statement necklace, and the new refinement of layering with the tailored jacket and the skinny pant being pivotal components. Some key items that will be must-haves are weightless furs and fur scarves, the new Asian-inspired floral prints, men's wear and school uniform plaids and the continuation of sweater dressing. I am also really excited about the color palette: the range of winter pales to midtone brights. Favorites were magenta, persimmon, ocher, hot pink, cherry red, yellow and the variety of blues and purples like mallard blue and royal purple. Favorite shows were Sharon Wauchob, Alexander McQueen, Haider Ackerman, Balmain and Ungaro."