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• January 29, 2009
• Trend Spotting

Couture Week Wrap-Up: Downtown Chicks, Golden Girls, and Bullfighters

By Daniela Jacobs & Xiyin Tang

Paris couture week is part fantasy, part genteel ladies. But we dug past the grandma's gowns to bring you our fave trends—some of which you could easily create at home—from a Golden Girls moment at Lacroix to some seriously smokin' V's at Gaultier.



Toreadors
Although Jean Paul Gaultier clearly had Spain on his mind this season, he wasn't the only one. The toreador suits and bullfighting capes seen throughout the couture shows evoke images of an empire in its heyday. ¡Olé!
Above, from left: Jean Paul Gaultier, Avalon Vega, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Christian Lacroix.



Golden Age
We saw it coming! The Golden Girls are having a moment, even in the couture shows. So whip out your gold lamé fanny pack and join the fun.
Above, from left: Martin Margiela Artisanal, Alexis Mabille, Alexandre Vauthier, and Christian Lacroix.

For more couture madness, click below.

Taking the Plunge
Nothing says French-chic-meets-urban-mod quite like an extreme v-neck on your little black dress (or pantsuit).
Above, from left: Jean Paul Gaultier, Stephane Rolland, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Alexandre Vauthier.



Uptown Clothes for Downtown Girls
Whereas once couture week's big gowns were only matched by their ladies-who-lunched-clientele's bigger wallets, we noticed a remarkable proliferation of PYTs sitting front row this time around. To meet them, we saw a new crop of party-ready wear that's more nightclub than country club, including a sexy-cool, body-hugging bondage dress or super-short slashed mini.
Above from left to right: Marco de Vincenzo, Stéphane Rolland, Cathy Pill, Felipe Oliveira Baptista.

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