PARIS, Jan 18, 2004/ FW --- Charles De Gaulle airport is exactly what I remember from October when I came here to Paris to attend the women’s ready-to-wear season. Like every season, as I join the fashion flock in Paris to attend the Paris Haute Couture season, there is a certain excitement in the air.

This time, there was something adding to the excitement --- an impending change in the fashion world.

Last week, as the Milan Menswear Show drew to a close, rumors was rife that American designer Narciso Rodriguez (Photo at left) will replace Tom Ford as Creative Director of Gucci, while British designer Alexander McQueen will be the new head designer for Yves Saint Laurent.

Tom Ford, the current Creative Director of both houses will step down from his position in April, has been the focus of the news.

As the rumor mill in Milan circulated, both Gucci and PPR has neither denied nor confirmed it. So everyone is left to ponder.

Narciso Rodriguez since launching his own label in 2001 has been very successful in the U.S. with both the fashion press and the retail buyers loving his collections.

If he is chosen as the new Creative Director of Gucci, it will be like a duck taking to water. Rodriguez used to work for Cerruti, another Italian fashion house before Loewe snapped him up in 1997.

In short, Rodriguez is used to living in Europe and has a keen understanding of the European’s view of fashion.

Alexander McQueen is a shoo in for another French fashion house. He used to be the Creative Director of Givenchy, designing both the Haute Couture and ready-to-wear collections.

Taking over the creative responsibilities of Yves Saint Laurent might prove to be a coup for both the Gucci Group and PPR. The French loves McQueen, and has accepted him the way they have accepted John Galliano who continues to design for Dior.

And maybe, just maybe… PPR can revive the YSL Haute Couture name because Alexander McQueen is well versed in it. It is a very long shot though, considering that Yves Saint Laurent was the one who personally closed this portion of the house.

But who knows what the future holds. Tom Ford and Domenico de Sole leaving the Gucci Group were unthinkable, but it happened.

So, everything is possible, even the revival of Yves Saint Laurent Haute Couture. Now, that will be a sight for sore eyes, especially during the eve of the haute couture season.