Giorgio Armani

Jean Paul Gaultier

Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel

PARIS, May 16, 2005/ FW/ --- The Federation Française de la Couture, du Prêt-à-Porter des Couturiers et de la Mode Masculine released its tentative calendar for the Fall/Winter 2005- 2006 couture presentations. The shows are slated to run from Wednesday, July 6th to Friday, July 8th.

For this season, the French fashion federation, or better known as the Chambre Syndicale, has listed twenty shows with Giorgio Armani and Chanel presenting twice.

Armani, who returns for its second season as corresponding member of the fashion’s highest and most prestigious body, has the honour of being the first to present his haute couture collection. He will be joined by the other grand couturiers and grand couture houses, which include Christian Dior, Adeline André, Chanel, Dominique Sirop, Christian Lacroix, Franck Sorbier, Jean-Paul Gaultier and Jean-Louis Scherrer.

However, the title of most anticipated return to the haute couture runways of Paris belongs to Givenchy. The house has not presented a collection on either the haute couture calendar or that of ready-to-wear since separating with Julien McDonald.

Without a scintilla of a doubt, all eyes will be on Ricardo Tisci, Givenchy’s new artistic director for women’s wear. His task of taking over the house created by Hubert de Givenchy will be a delicate one as Givenchy’s image still represents what is best about French couture and sheer feminine elegance.

Valentino, also a corresponding member from Italy, will also present this season. Versace, which has chosen not to show its couture collection this season, is too a corresponding member.

Among the guest invited members who also will be presenting this season are Félipe Oliveira Baptista, Anne-Valerie Hash, Adam Jones, Marc Le Bihan, Laurent Mercier, On Aura Tout Vu and Elie Saab