Paris, July 08: Fashion Designer Ritu Beri, after a brief stint as the ready-to-wear designer for Scherrer, returned to the Paris catwalks with her own haute couture collection for next winter, blending Indian traditions and contemporary chic. Votive candles, incense and red carpets strewn with gold crystals welcomed guests to Beri's "Indian midsummer night's dream", staged at the residence of New Delhi's ambassador to Paris, in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower yesterday. Beri is most successful when she adorns low-key urban separates with sumptuous Indian embroidery: a long denim coat with intricately beaded edges over a basic white shirt and blue jeans was particularly effective. For evening, the Indian designer offered traditional saris in turquoise, gunmetal gray or peach covered in delicate gold sequins and beading, as well as a black halter gown falling into handkerchief points with mirror-work edges.

The official calendar for haute couture week begins today, with John Galliano for Christian Dior and Versace unveiling their collections for next winter. The shows in the French capital run through Thursday.


Japan's fashion designer, Yohji Yamamoto, also gave a lesson in geometry at the start of Paris haute couture week late yesterday, offering a vibrant collection rooted in his imaginative use of structure, form and volume. Bureau Report