#paris-fashion

#paris-fashion

There was an outsider's embrace of French fashion standards in this show, like an open-top omnibus tour at breakneck, gendarme-enraging speed of tailored hooded boleros with sweet bows perched on the noggin like something by Marc Bohan or a young Hubert de Givenchy. There were zip-scarred bodycon dresses that I refuse to accept as anything other than homage to Azzedine Alaïa's seminal 1986 originals.

Valentino entered haute couture in 1973. It was uncommon for an Italian designer to pass through the sacrosanct filter of the Paris Chambre Syndicale, which safeguards fashion as part of France's cultural heritage. For nearly three decades, he presented collections in the French capital on a regular basis. The 1991 show (pictured) was among the most memorable: the supermodels of the era Naomi, Claudia, Helena, and others walked the runway in those sculptural yet comfortable gowns that were his hallmark.

Cyrus's head-to-toe Saint Laurent outfit stood out, featuring a knee-length skirt that may trend over shorter styles this summer.