Source: CCTV.com

10-08-2008 09:10

A star-studded gala highlights Paris Fashion week, honouring the 40th anniversary of the house of Sonia Rykiel. A collection by forty internationally celebrated designers paid tribute to the label's long and revolutionary history.

A star-studded gala highlights Paris Fashion week, honouring the 40th anniversary of the house of Sonia Rykiel.

There were designs by Christian Lacroix, Gaultier, Karl Lagerfeld, Giorgio Armani and Yohji Yamamoto. Alber Elbaz, Valentino, Missoni and Vivienne Westwood paid their tributes - so did Roberto Cavalli and Donna Karan. Each offered an interpretation of the Rykiel look.

Seventy-eight-year-old Rykiel founded her business in 1968. She became a household name, epitomizing Parisian style.

Dubbed the Queen of Knitwear by Women's Wear Daily in 1970, Rykiel transformed the pullover sweater into her signature.

She invented inside-out stitching, no-hem and un-lined pieces that reflected a new philosophy she dubbed 'unfashion'.

Rykiel is widely credited with starting a fashion revolution.

On another platform, Lanvin's Creative Director Alber Elbaz sent out his Spring and Summer 2009 collection for the "real" woman.

The show was at the Quai Branly at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.

Soft silhouettes played with asymmetry, peppered with off the shoulder looks. Diverse volumes and proportions played around shoulder and hip. The hot pink and electric blue leopard print dresses became a hit the moment they appeared on the runway.

The shoes were jewel encrusted yet again - in what has become and ongoing trend this week.