light years ahead

The future is already here. Shapes are becoming more streamlined - as they did back in the Sixties, when designers such as Andre Courreges led the revolution in clinically simple, space-age clothing. Now, plastic and paper are essential body-wrappings, and designers such as Rifat Ozbek, Stephen Fuller and Owen Gaster carve a sartorial path to the year 2000 with pared-down, minimalist pieces. In space, no one can hear you rustle

Annalisa Barbieri

Opposite: quilted cropped jacket, by Rifat Ozbek, pounds 580, at Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge, London SW1; Room 7, 64 Street Lane, Roundhay, Leeds. Sleeveless green dress, by Owen Gaster, pounds 145, at Pellicano, 63 South Molton Street, London W1. Enquiries: 01825 732489.

This page: paper raincoat, by Hussein Chalayan, pounds 440, at Browns, 23/27 South Molton Street, London W1; Jones, 15 Floral Street, London WC2; Joseph, 77 Fulham Road, London SW3. Spotted shower dress, by Stephen Fuller, pounds 116, at Koh Samui, 50 Monmouth Street, London WC2; Pellicano, as before. Bra, pounds 16, and pants, pounds 7, at Marks & Spencer branches nationwide

Zipped suit, by State of Montana, pounds 671, at Wardrobe, 17 Chiltern Street, London W1; The Clothes Room, 1 Marshan Street, Harrogate. Knee- high boots, pounds 285, at Freelance, 55 Neal Street, London WC2. Enquiries: 0171 379 7856