PARIS, Jul 11, 2003/ FW/ -- Dominique Sirop has the reputation of being one of the more contemporary and visionary designers of Paris couture. For all of his talent, things unfortunately didn't work so well this season.

Invitations were never mailed, and then guests were left standing. Though when the expected VIPs never arrived, rows of chairs remained unfilled.

The sloppiness of the welcome was mirrored by the sloppiness of the collection.

Ragged edges of shredded chiffon became jarring, arguably giving a finish more ready-to-wear than couture, and certainly lacking finesse.

Even worse, some of the ideas just didn't work. How many women would want to wear a burgundy velour gown, their right breast completely exposed and wrapped up in what looked to be a crystal chandelier?

Still, there were better moments, as in sharply cut leather trenches and jackets, an ingenious gown with zigzag crocodile inlaid with sheer pleated mousseline, or a beautifully swirling chiffon gown.

By the finale, when faulty choreography put models in an endless loop, colliding with rapidly departing guests, things just didn't look very Big Time.