Paris, Jul 11, 2002/ FWD/ --- Talk about a classy guy. Oscar de la Renta made an elegant finale from the house of Balmain with a stylish collection that will find plenty of fans among the designer's devoted admirers.

As the curtain went down on his reign at Balmain, Oscar made a triumphant last walk down the Paris catwalk, showered with applause and embraces from his ladies-who-lunch front row.

Waiting on every guest's seat was the official announcement of the already widely known fact: "A rich and exemplary decade faithful to the image of elegance instituted by the founder, Monsieur Balmain. Today, Oscar de la Renta's last presentation for the House of Balmain is a final homage of creation to the French Haute Couture. Thank you, Monsieur de la Renta."

The polite words brought to an end a decade-long French job for Oscar, the only North American designer to be a couturier in a Paris couture house since the World War II.

The collection itself contained Oscar's signature piece de resistance: double face cashmere coats, impeccable crepe pants, bustier robes in delicately ruched mousseline and timelessly stylish tailleur that any lady would be pleased to wear.

This season, Balmain had a Russian theme, expressed by the beautiful back drop of ice blue winter sky, spindly birch trees and faux snow that fell softly on the models' heads.

On the catwalk Oscar was took his bow with customary grace, while backstage he held his head high as a pack of friends clasped his hand or kissed his cheek.

"Regrets? Sure, I have regrets. But life is full of them. That's normal," de la Renta told FWD.

But at least you can say, Oscar did it his way.

Pierre Balmain

Pierre Balmain

Pierre Balmain

Pierre Balmain

Pierre Balmain

Pierre Balmain

Pierre Balmain