PARIS, Mar 5, 2004/ FW/ --- I am excited to be writing the critique on Veronique Leroy’s’ fall/winter collection.

Although I have witnessed some great collections this season, I am compelled to say that hers is the first in a long time to make me so grateful to be a fashion critic.

Miss Leroy had a vested interest in giving us something good as journalists waited in the cold for more than an hour.

Yet like a kite soaring on the airs of a brisk spring morning, Miss Leroy indeed rose to the occasion with her retro-look, late 60’s and early 70’s collections.

Now I know what you’re thinking upon hearing the word “retro”.

And yes, I still remember Leroy’s disastrous retro 80’s collection complete with polka dots that she presented at the Carrousel de Louvre in March 2001.

Let’s put that behind us and get on with more important affairs.

The first section of the collection was done in all tweed. A beautiful tweed coat in cream and with matching boots, followed by an impressive tweed cape, a simple tweed dress and then a breathtaking tailleur set the bar of excellence high for what was to follow. No problem for the French designer.

Ooooo! The black wool ensemble with a light pastel green blouse is on the money! The cape with its two large buttons wears like a mink stall. Everyone loved her long, large, black, three-button cloak-coat with a large collar. It falls away from the shoulders giving it a shawl look.

Leroy’s’ gray knit ensemble features a matching sweater and a large scarf tied into a bow around the neck.

French television personality, Mademoiselle Aniesse simply said with great enthusiasm of the collection, “J’adore!”

The white wool ensembles that came next are the pick of the litter. The simplicity of her dresses should serve as a lesson to other designers who tend to go too far or as the French say, “Qui en font trop”!

No artificial or distracting embellishments in this collection. Everything is so unpretentious. All the hemlines fall just at the bottom of the knees.

Her off-white white dress with a large matching belt is divine. Without a scintilla of a doubt, my favorite! The belt pulls in the waist just there where a woman may need a little help. The sleeves of the dress go into a crescendo as they approach the wrists. This creation is so perfect that I was nearly tempted to sneak off with it once backstage. KEE! KEE! KEE!

One ensemble includes an off-white skirt with a brilliant orange sweater in knit. The sleeves too in this look have that crescendo effect as do many of the other sweaters and skirts presented in this collection. This look also has a bolero inspired cape. The entire look is set off with a long, matching orange scarf arranged into a huge bow around the neck. It falls from the shoulder. Another skirted look features a knit sweater in fuchsia.

Once all models were in place and striking a rigid pose against the simple black decor, it all resembled a scene for a grand campaign or fashion editorial.

“One would say that we are looking at beautiful photos in Vogue from the 1970’s,” said an impressed French men’s wear designer, Ron Orb. “The materials look very heavy, giving a statue like quality to the collection”,

Although the collection is retro, I as a critic am very appreciative of it. Through it I gained a better understanding of the fashion cliché, “retro, but with a modern twist”. I judge this collection as the right thing for any woman regardless of age. But more importantly, woman over a diverse age range will too.

Thank you Veronique Leroy!

Véronique Leroy

Véronique Leroy

Véronique Leroy

Véronique Leroy

Véronique Leroy

Véronique Leroy