Vivienne presents DIY chic in Paris while Dior proposes sheer ethnic

The grande dame of British fashion, Vivienne Westwood, had some style advice for guests at her spring/summer presentation in Paris this week. "Do it yourself," instructed notes left on the chairs which lined the runway. "Make shawls from blankets, table cloths, curtains, towels, or a metre of fabric." Better still: "Style together with beautiful pieces from your wardrobe or that of your mother or husband," she urged.

And on the catwalk the punk icon showed how it was done with a standout example from the DIY-inspired collection combining striped silk shorts, fluffy leg warmers and a leopard print shawl.

Pyjama stripes in pastel hues were a recurring theme, fashioned into a dramatic pirate wench evening gown and as voluminous lengths of fabric draped in African-inspired silhouettes.


Pyjama-like stripes in pastel hues were also a key theme, here fashioned into swashbuckling pirate skirts

Fellow Brit John Galliano also took an ethnic approach in his vision for next season at Dior. Drawing on memories of trips to Africa the style maestro gave a sensual twist to tribal inspiration with his use of sheer fabrics.

Models took to the runway in dramatic floor-length gowns with lace and silk voile inserts or tiers of pleats from thigh to knee.

Short chiffon numbers which skimmed mid-thigh in acid-yellow, orange, fuchsia and electric blue were equally sheer, and cleverly combined with matching, knitted hotpants.


Vivienne also created African-silhouettes, swathing models in loosely structured striped confections.

While hues on the catwalk were vibrant, celebrity guests kept things demure with grey as their colour of choice. Oscar winner Marion Cotillard, Smile singer Lily Allen, former Bond girl Eva Green and Harry Potter actress Emma Watson were all wearing the sophisticated hue as they took their seats beside the catwalk.


Off the catwalk at Dior, grey was the colour of choice with star guests. French actress Eva Green stepped out in this chic two piece

Tibet bag surprise fashion hit


By Rita Payne, eTN Europe

Supporters of the Dalai Lama are delighted that one of Britain’s top British designers, Vivienne Westwood, displayed a bag promoting the Tibetan cause on the catwalk. A bag with the slogan “Keep Tibet Alive” was used as an accessory in Westwood’s Spring 2009 ready to wear collection at the recent Paris Fashion show.



The bag has been designed by the Tibet Society and made by Tibetans in India. Philippa Carrick, chief executive of the Tibet Society, said “It is very encouraging and heartening to see such a well known fashion designer and icon such as Vivienne Westwood showing her support for Tibet by using our bag as an accessory in her collection. This year has seen much suffering inside Tibet following demonstrations in March and the country remains under lock down.

Tibetans are now living under very tight security, with widespread curfews in place and an intensifying “re-education” program in the monasteries. We are gravely concerned for the thousands of Tibetans missing since the demonstrations and for those still in detention. I urge people not to forget Tibet and follow Vivienne’s example by raising Tibet’s flag wherever they can and showing China the issue of Tibet will not be forgotten.”

Pro-Tibet groups in the UK are urging the government to take action to support the Tibetan people and their basic human rights. These include putting pressure on the Chinese government to grant immediate access to all areas of Tibet by the UN, Red Cross or another recognized independent body for an objective and true account of the situation; report on casualties and availability of medical care; verify the number of deaths; visit those in detention and confirm access to legal representation.

Tibetan activists are also demanding the re-opening of all areas of Tibet to foreign journalists. They want the British government to press China and representatives of the Dalai Lama to set a date for a meeting. Both sides have had informal talks but Tibet support groups are pressing for a meeting to be open and transparent and held in a neutral country under the auspices of an agreed objective mediator. The say the aim of meeting should be to begin substantive dialogue, without preconditions, to find a legitimate and negotiated solution for the Tibetan and Chinese people.

The Chinese Premier, Wen Jiabao, gave an assurance to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown that he would speak to the Dalai Lama if he renounces violence and does not seek independence. The Dalai Lama has repeatedly and publicly stated that he is opposed to violence and is not pushing for Tibetan independence.

The Closer
Paris Fashion Week's Last Party Was a Doozy


Kate Bosworth and Laura Mulleavy Opening Ceremony And GrandLife Paris Fashion Week Party
Olivier Zahm and Leigh Lezark.

'Twas the last night of Paris fashion week and at the resurgent Regine's, the troops were out and celebrating in full force. Models shook their hair extensions loose. Fashion editors guzzled cocktails like they were going out of style faster than that dubious headband trend. Even the usually reserved Miuccia Prada got into the party spirit. "I want Champagne," said the designer, who arrived on the arm of artist Francesco Vezzoli. Hosted by GrandLife and Opening Ceremony, the soirée drew the likes of Kate Bosworth, Kirsten Dunst, and Mary-Kate Olsen. "I like when fashion week comes to town," said jet-setting It girl Eugenie Niarchos. "I can see all of my friends in one place." Indeed, come morning, the fashion flock were scuttling back to their respective corners of the world (where, for all but the most social, la vie surely won't be quite so en rose as it was this party-packed, recession-be-damned week). Oh, well, they'll always have Paris.


Opening Ceremony And GrandLife Paris Fashion Week Party
The night's entertainment.