Paris, Jul 7, 2001/ FWD/ --- Though this is the autumn-winter haute couture season, the slick collection Donatella Versace showed in Paris Saturday exuded warmth, sun and flowers, blended with plenty of her signature sexiness.

Staged on a glass catwalk containing thousands of bright roses, the colorful fabrics made the Theatre de Chaillot where the show was staged, bloom with wisteria, anemones and printed petals.

"I think winter makes far too much dark colors already. Why add more? I wanted to inject the joy of bright color and flowers and make the winter a little happier," Donatella explained to FWD backstage as she accepted the compliments from her impressive front row.

A catalogue of the latest Versace ad campaign graced everybody's seat. Shot by Steven Meisel in the Playboy Mansion, the images attest to Versace's aim of dressing the new entertainment elite. And a bevy of stars of that new nomenclature packed onto Donatella's front-row.

Puff Daddy grabbed the most paparazzi attention arriving with a leggy new squeeze, narrowly edging out Kevin Spacey, who came accompanied by Naomi Campbell in a black slip dress and a mini tiara. Actor Heath Ledger also got the flashbulbs popping, as did Jeremy Scott, clutching a McDonalds's bag, and the Hilton sisters chaperoned by their mother. Lithe and attired in Versace Greek-goddess dresses the Hilton siblings made for an attractive pair as they posed on the way into the show, the Eiffel Tower in the background.

This season, Donatella largely stayed faithful to her recent silhouette of curvy hips and power shoulders, but broke new ground with inventively cut suits. One great example was a jacket with a cinched, ruched waist and broad shoulders worn over palazzo pants. Model Audrey Marnay wore an amazing mini dress of patent leather petals, while Carmen Kaas wore a similar idea but in white mink, paired with glittering, purple GoGo boots.

There was quite a mummy moment in the show, as three young mums worked the runway - Audrey, Caroline Murphy and Amber Valetta. Hair stylist Orlando Pita gave the supes weird Bride of Frankenstein crimped standup wigs that added real pizzazz.

"What I respect about Donatella is that she doesn't stand still," Sean "Puffy" Combs told FWD backstage after the show. "Donatella really keeps pushing the envelope and advancing the barriers of fashion. I just loved the collection."

Versace Haute Couture

Versace Haute Couture

Versace Haute Couture

Versace Haute Couture

Versace Haute Couture

Versace Haute Couture

Versace Haute Couture