PARIS, Mar 8, 2007/ --- Flamboyant but chic, wild but delicate, sophisticated but easy-going, thus could be qualified the very feminine looks that Gavin Rajah has unveiled in Paris with his cruise collection. Presented today on the extremely sunny river Seine, right in the middle of Paris, on the M/S South African Queen ship, the collection was mainly composed of a mixture of panther prints that could easily be worn separately or mixed with other garments to fully cover the everyday nonchalant needs of the cruise traveller who wants to make a statement with each of her looks from sundeck to evening ballroom.

It all started with several one-piece or two-pieces bathing suits in leopard print, accessorized or worn over other form-fitting pieces that nearly made them right for a cocktail party. A long scarf or printed blouse of silk muslin here, long golden leather gloves or chocolate brown crocodile skin tied in a belt with matching braid there, certainly compose easy outfits for elegant ladies at and around the swimming pool.

More dressed-up garments keep the spirit of this hot, relaxed and refined cruise atmosphere: a white tunic of chiffon is strategically embroidered with gold sequins and worn on ivory lamé shorts with matching jacket. The garment structure seems to revisit the seventies with their heedless romanticism, but the leopard and panther prints give the evening gowns an hyper feminine touch that inspires both desire and respect, just like the metallic fabrics used in the jackets confer on the looks a resolutely modern edge.

The same shining effect is obtained through a finishing treatment on two blouson jackets of ostrich leather in amber or bronze. Ostrich is also used for its feathers composing a delicate scarf. The leopard prints are extremely effective both on the stunning evening dresses in bias cut and on the tight thin leggings that they transform into real pieces for the summer.

The warm colours used by the South African designer definitely highlight his looks with a sun-kissed atmosphere. His orange to beige palette with adequate chocolate brown contrasts, enriched by precious appliqués and embroideries can suit the complexions of all world women, as the Asian, African and European models all proved today during the show.

Deliberately presented on the International Women’s Day (March 8), this cruise collection did cleverly and stylishly celebrate the global connecting of all women around the world, encouraging them to achieve their full potential. Gavin Rajah, after having presented two couture collections in the City of Lights, made a powerful statement about femininity today as he made his vision of women shine under the Paris sun.

The classy global event concerning tourism and business opportunities in South Africa ,which also hosted the runway show by Gavin Rajah, demonstrated how much South Africa has moved forward and keeps counting more and more on the international scene. The fashion show was the sparkling proof of all this as Gavin Rajah is definitely giving his country a direction for future developments with jungle inspired prints on clothes that are never ethnic and certainly contemporary.

The leopard panther might also be the symbol used as one of the codes for the House of Cartier, it looks more genuine when used by South African designer Gavin Rajah.