PARIS, Oct 6, 2004/ FW/ – Like a haunting scene from a B grade late seventies, early eighties soap, belles sat on wicker chairs, immobile and gorgeous. Veronique Branquinho for spring summer 2005 tonight took the best of the golden past and made it modern and whimsical.

Almost everyone in her audience was humming to the music and remembering how they once were in a time when Faucet hairstyles were hip, the Love Boat was not to be missed on Friday prime time television and round toed suede brown boots were a must have.

All forgave the disastrous time delay. Everyone expects lateness during fashion week, but when the room is full and front row is organized, over an hour is far too long a wait and begins to become unacceptable, especially for long time professionals who all know the rules both written and unwritten.

Long tweed jackets that sat on the hips with outer pockets and suede elbow patches were worn with over the knee skirts or flat fronted men’s tailored trousers in a color palette of this uniquely ‘traditional’ crazy period, that moved from neutrals of ecru, beige, tans, musty hints of reds and blues on knit before reserving evenings for black.

Large check and Dallas fringing for the Sue Ellen in us all came in way of dresses and bold contrasting suits. Jumpsuits are necessary daywear staples whether walking the Champs Elysee or taking a drive in the country.

Delicate crochet knit tops are made up of various stitching techniques as Branquinho demonstrates her attention to the softest detail, after all a fashion show is supposed to be about the clothes.

Evenings are Grace Jones Studio 54 black with hoods, long and slinky with drawstring cut outs, halter neck with hints of transparency for shoulders.

Great memories and great individual pieces for a Branquinho summer, whether mixing and matching army jackets over elegance or pulling Dad’s favorite short sleeve safari jacket out of the closet or deciding on a one piece gold bathing suit, she took us on a twenty minute trip down memory lane.

Veronique Branquinho

Veronique Branquinho

Veronique Branquinho

Veronique Branquinho