PARIS, Jul 10, 2002/ FW/ --- Nicolas Le Cauchois once told a French television channel that his love of couture came from Yves Saint Laurent, and that it had infected him like a virus.

Judging from the large turnout at his show today in the Hôtel St. James, that virus is spreading rapidly.

In a boiling salon, bathed in fuchsia spotlights, the temperature surpassed tropical levels, and waiters scurried about with iced bottles of champagne, presented with a straw.

The line waiting to get in was so long, that the show time went into precarious delay.

In an interesting sign, which just might speak volumes, those editors holding invitations for the following show, Christian LaCroix, stayed glued to their seats.

And what they got was well worth the wait, because it was just the jolt that Paris Haute Couture has needed all week.

In an époque that sees designers of major houses vying for the title of heir to the throne, or else juggling ideas to come up with something eye catching for a new season, Nicolas showed a magnificent collection perfectly in tune with the young, enthusiastic audience that came to cheer him on.

There is a sleek elegance to his work, a certain poetry that flows in cascading feather plumes, twirling sable, and even in the elbow length leather gloves that were used to great effect.

It's that same seductive quality that once dominated St. Laurent's work in the 60s and 70s, resized to fit the modern face of Haute Couture.

The show had the freshness, and the power of youth.

It percolated heat, bubbling from beginning to end with a sensuousness that smacked at eroticism.

Entitled Champagne Diva, it was meant to represent the wardrobe of that spectacular woman whose everyday life is a performance that glitters in front of crackling paparazzi hype.

As Nicolas wrote in his program notes, "Haute Couture and Champagne Diva make one!"

Champagne or not, the show was a complete success, and come next season, Nicolas Le Cauchois will certainly need to find a larger venue to accommodate his growing list of admirers.

Nicolas Le Cauchois

Nicolas Le Cauchois

Nicolas Le Cauchois

Nicolas Le Cauchois

Nicolas Le Cauchois

Nicolas Le Cauchois

Nicolas Le Cauchois