Elle steps out of retirement for Louis Vuitton show

The former Australian supermodel Elle 'the Body' Macpherson has returned to the catwalk at the age of 46, showcasing a collection for American designer Marc Jacobs that celebrated women - rather than girls - at Paris fashion week.

Called 'And God Created Woman', Jacobs's ready to wear collection for Louis Vuitton was not only a homage to Roger Vadim's 1956 film starring Brigitte Bardot, but a move away from the normal catwalk shows featuring hosts of waif-like teenage models.

"Designers are always talking about how they design for women, and then you look at our runways and there are no girls over 20," Jacobs said backstage after the show. "This time, I set out to cast a variety of sexy women - younger, older, thin, voluptuous, from every ethnic background."

Along with Macpherson, these "sexy women" included another retired supermodel, Laetitia Casta, 31 - once dubbed France's most beautiful woman - and 26-year-old Lara Stone, the fiancee of British comedian David Walliams. And the corsets, halterneck dresses and A-line skirts looked perfect on them. "Think Anita Ekberg with Grace Kelly's wardrobe," quipped Guardian fashion editor Jess Cartner-Morley.

Macpherson's Ekberg-esque 34C cleavage was to the fore in a rose-pink corset gown as she led the finale parade of 54 models.

Cartner-Morley pointed out that while casting a 46-year-old former supermodel who is still "traffic-stoppingly attractive" may not seem that groundbreaking, Elle Macpherson's presence is still a "strong statement" for a commercial label like Louis Vuitton.

The move was certainly a shock for Jacobs's audience, which included British TV presenter Alexa Chung and Russian supermodel Natalia Vodianova. As Macpherson stepped out on the catwalk, there was an audible intake of breath among the crowd. ·