Giorgio Armani

Ralph Rucci

Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel

DALLAS, Dec 26, 2004/ FW/ --- Italian design maestro got the much coveted opening time slot of the Paris Haute Couture season, with the first of two shows slated on Monday, Jan 24, 2005 at 9:30 AM at 34/36 rue Lauriston at the 16th arrondissment.

In his first season for the made-to-order craft, Giorgio Armani opted to have two shows in a row, effectively taking over the 11:00 AM time slot that used to be lined up for the House of Torrente.

The much beloved House of Torrente surprised the fashion set when it bowed out of the Spring 2005 prêt-a-porter season. Its holding company, SDMLT or Société de la Master Licence Torrente filed bankruptcy early this year, which in turn closed the Torrente atelier until further notice.

The first day of the season turned out to be star-studded with three major fashion houses – Giorgio Armani, Dior and Valentino showing on the same day.

Haute couture stalwarts Chanel and Christian Lacroix are showing on Tuesday, Jan 25, 2005 and joined by American couturier Ralph Rucci who closes the day with his show slated at 8:00 PM at the Les Arts Décoratifs.

Emerging haute couture houses Laurent Mercier and Marc Le Bihan complete the line up for the second day.

Jean Paul Gaultier together with Jean Louis Scherrer and Dominique Sirop headline the third and last day. Franck Sorbier is the first show of the day while Elie Saab closed the season at 5:30 PM at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts. On Aura Tout Vu completes the schedule for the day.