PARIS, Oct 4, 2004/ FW/ --- Backstage at AF Vandevorst was only a prelude to what was about to happen. Photographers were doing their thing while the models were all smiles and energy as if they had been given a shot of joy juice. Out front, the rows were filled, as a major production was about to begin.

The opening of the collection was dominated by black.

A T-shirt with A.F. printed in huge letters struck an early chord, showing the youth of the design duo behind the label. The simple black dress with ruffle detailing at the left knee to calf had great movement. It reveals just enough to get the blood running.

A beat woven trench at knee length with leather belt then came to the runway. It actually unbuttons up towards the waist so that the wearer can dictate her own level of seduction in accordance with her mood.

I particularly like the shirts with thin, delicate ruffle detailing. These ruffles were done in a way that set the shirts apart from the others done in collections by other designers.

The skirt in grey jersey with decorative zippers immediately caught the attention of discriminating eyes.

A deconstructed mini-trench jacket is the hot ticket from this collection for the stylish girl with a streak of rebel in her. Another printed trench was surely worthy of much praise and of applause.

Ruffles were also used in a variety of ways in this collection. They created that needed element of restrained pizzazz and gave unbelievable movement to the hips!

Although the shoes looked as if they had been made from excess glittered fabrics from Michael Jackson’s Thriller days, they are not distracting and are pleasing to the eye!

Although the absence of a “little black dress” was most conspicuous, one in this collection would have only proven an extra plus. Yet one was clearly not needed as this upbeat and edgy collection seemed to please everyone present from journalists, and stylists to buyers. Overall it gets a well-deserved four snaps up rating out of a possible five from me.