Jacques Tati back in Paris for Kenzo's 50s fashion

(AFP/PIERRE VERDY)

A swarm of vintage 50s Citroen DS cars and a bunch of lookalikes of Oscar-winning film-maker Jacques Tati took over an iconic Paris square on Saturday as Kenzo showed his latest menswear at Paris Fashion Week.

Traffic near the late 17th century Place des Victoires, one of the city's rare circular squares, came to a halt as the once futuristic cars labelled by some as the most beautiful of all time slowly circled a smaller circle of male models dressed to mirror Tati's Mr Hulot.

Tati, who won an Oscar for "Mon Oncle" (My Uncle) in 1959, himself played the dreamy Hulot character who starred in several of his films, pacing about with an umbrella in a raincoat and a hat.

"He had an inimitable silhouette," said Kenzo designer Antonio Marras. "I liked his eccentricity and anarchism."

Marras, known for putting on fashion spectaculars, sent out many of his models in stunning short jackets and short trousers - one of the trends that have emerged at the Paris men's shows that end Sunday evening.

Jackets at many shows have come cut just above the crotch while pants are sliced anywhere from mid-calf to above the ankle, giving socks and shoes fashion prominence.

Kenzo, who went for exquisite heavy tweeds and wools as well as hi-tech denims, harked back to the 50s too with houndstooths and Prince of Wales, checks, zigzags and lots of hats, umbrellas and glasses.