FANTASY SHOPPING . . .

The designer behind Plein Sud is the Moroccan Faycal Amor. With a name like Amor it is no surprise that he designs clothes for women that are quite beautiful and romantic. This short, V-neck dress with soft draping at the bust is the perfect garment to bridge the gap between summer and autumn. It is a quite exquisite item, not at all girly like some flowery dresses can be, but grown-up and sophisticated and deliciously slithery. Just the sort of dress to take to Paris or Naples, or anywhere where women are appreciated, for a long weekend. This dress is pure silk, yet it is as wearable as a T-shirt, and it looks just as good when it's strewn on the floor with the fine-denier stockings and the kitten-heel stilettos ... AB

!Plein Sud black silk dress with red roses, also available in black with yellow roses, pounds 355, sizes 8-14 from branches of Whistles, 12 St Christopher's Place, London W1 and 9 The High Street, Oxford; Harvey Nichols and Harrods, Knightsbridge, SW1. Inquiries telr 0171-935 7309.