PARIS, Jun 22, 2004/ FW/ --- The countdown for the Paris Haute Couture Fall 2004 season had begun. With only 16 days left before the kick off, designers are busy working on their collections, and Eymeric François is no exception.

At Eymeric François’ temporary atelier at the French fashion school, ESMOD, the Paris-based couturier is busy putting together his small couture collection of twenty breathtaking dresses, appropriately titles “Fleurs de Mal (Flowers of Evil)”.

As the title suggests, there will be lots of flowers, thorns, and colors. The idea is to go further into the creative processes and to show another layer of depth in what the young couturier is capable of giving to women.

In homage to Thierry Mugler, his former mentor and idol, Eymeric François promises a few surprises and throwbacks to the creative genius of Mr. Mugler. Like him, François adores a strict interpretation of the female silhouette, attitude and posture.

“We want this collection to seem like what we [the world] lost when Thierry Mugler stopped showing couture”, say Renaud Abiven, business associate to Eymeric François. “That is a women who is confident, sure of herself, provocative. Therefore, the bust, waist and hips are the keys”.

“The Eymeric François woman doesn’t have to smile to be considered beautiful because she already is. There is always a conjunction between the woman and the dress.”

Ninety percent of the collection is gowns. They are structured and very body hugging.

This collection is different in the sense that François will break with his traditionally use of black and white. We can expect blues, pink, yellow, green, etc. The wedding dress, however, may be white. But white is not even guaranteed at this moment.

Eymeric has also chosen to make his corsets visible in this collection. Habitually well hidden inside the dress, the wicked corsets create those sickening-to-die-for silhouettes for which the young couturier is best known.

On the matter of his silhouettes, Eymeric François commented, “When I see women, I see women with very impressive, small waistlines. Because of my vision, it is natural for me to design the way I do.”

Renaud Abiven went on to say, “With this collection, Eymeric François is going to show that he has matured even more not only in terms of creativity, but also in the way he works. He’s going to show that his style is more identifiable and that his capacity is wide in terms of techniques and styles.”

Eymeric François’ “Fleur de Mal” collection will take place on Wednesday, July 7th at the Palais Brongniart.