NEW YORK, Nov 4, 1999/ FW/ – Since opening a concession in Henry Bendels snazzy department stores earlier this year, French designer Catherine Malandrino has gone from strength to strength.

Go to any cool nightclub downtown New York and some groovester will be wearing one of her signature brightly colored Stetsons. Her show, mid afternoon today, proved to be no less a color-fest for the hip audience who turned up to enjoy it.

The accessories of mosaic semi-precious stones on suede belts, exotic luxurious hand silk ribbon shawls to replace the jacket and filigree antique gold cuffs and extra long pendant earrings really brought her rock and roll, Parisian happy collection to life.

A succession of silk dresses over cigarette pants beaded and embroidered cashmere sweaters with ultra light chiffon skirts and beaded and embroidered sleeveless leather vests set off pants.

My favorite piece was the embroidered sari-inspired slit skirt worn with an asymmetrical beaded knit top and shown with a stunning silk shawl with a fringe. The citrus leather and camel leather pants would be a great wardrobe staple. Overall the collection was truly feminine and fun.

Catherine Malandrino

Catherine Malandrino

Catherine Malandrino