Ferre borrows romantic ideals of Dior classics

Gianfranco Ferre has turned to the timeless style of Christian Dior for his spring-summer collection, injecting freshness and ebullience to bring it bang up to date.

Ferre's show in Paris yesterday was a throwback to the romanticism Diorcreated when he reinvented femininity with the "New Look" in 1947.

The German model Nadja Auermann wore a white trouser suit with a transparent top and matching hat, the essence of Ferre's retro styling, for slim rounded shoulders and lithe waistline. The collection featured elegantly tailored suits, woven from silk in its rawest form and menswear fabrics - ottoman, glenplaid, pick-and-pick or pin-striped wool - with lace and organdie bustiers peeking out from beneath jackets.

"It was a very feminine collection," Ferre said. "On one hand strict, on the other flamboyant. There was nothing deep, just colours and wind, just like a breeze that blows over the rose trees."

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