Paris, Oct 7, 2001/ FWD/ --- Designer Gilles Rosier favored the exotic tropics as an inspiration for the Kenzo spring 2002 collection shown in Paris.

The general silhouette flowed well; it fitted up top and relaxed and loosened from the waist down.

Simply cut vests came with slouchy pants, fitted jackets with wide miniskirts or airy knee length shorts.

The fabrics were au naturel: gauze, crepe, linen, mesh and netting, perfect for sunny climes.

Colorful embroidery was everywhere, small flowers were scattered over jacket shoulders and grew down into an explosion of florals at the waist, roses grew up the length of skirts and across shirts, tropical birds flew across the backs of silky jackets.

The palm print was used throughout the collection, on white and gray blouses, hanging off the shoulder with matching shoulder bags and on draped pantsuits and headscarves.

"I went through all the old Kenzo collections," Rosier told FWD backstage. "I wanted to design a modern twist on the Asian influences, on the painted and embroidered leather pieces."

There were also neutrals, perforated leather pieces, baggy combat pants and smock tops in safari shades of sand and beige, and explosions of color like a saffron yellow full-length light coat and a lacquer red jumpsuit.

The accessories -- openwork leather belts, bracelets and leather and mesh flat sandals -- completed a collection just perfect for a faraway, rich and rustic locale.

Kenzo by Gilles Rosier

Kenzo by Gilles Rosier

Kenzo by Gilles Rosier

Kenzo by Gilles Rosier

Kenzo by Gilles Rosier

Kenzo by Gilles Rosier

Kenzo by Gilles Rosier