Christian Lacroix fights closure in style

Emotions ran high at Christian Lacroix on the second day of Paris haute couture week, as cheers and tears marked what could be the designer's final high-fashion collection. Lacroix, one of France's most theatrical and best-loved designers, faces closure unless a buyer can be found for his business within the month. If not, the 24 creations which were loudly applauded on the catwalk will never go into production.
 
The 22-year-old fashion house went into administration in May. Despite this, Lacroix was able to put on one more collection, after convincing administrators to hand back €15,000 to pay his models. Yesterday's show in the Salon des Boisiers of the Musée Les Arts Décoratifs was staged on a miniscule budget, with staff working for free and suppliers donating their goods to help out. The designer reportedly dipped into his own pocket to pay hair and make-up artists, while the guest list of 900 was slashed to a far more intimate 280 to keep costs down.
 
Midnight-blue, navy and black dominated the show. "It wasn't black for mourning but because we had so little colourful materials at the house," Lacroix explained backstage. The classic Lacroix looks were evident - gamine, dramatic tailoring and exquisite embroidery and beading.

Despite the sombre palette, the final creation - a matryoshka-style bridal gown (pictured above, with Lacroix) - ensured the show finished with a more typical Lacroix flourish. As weeping staff and clients surrounded the designer, a banner reading 'Christian Lacroix Forever' was unfurled. My Way, sung in French, was the final song on the soundtrack.
 
Over at the Palais de Chaillot, actresses Cate Blanchett and Megan Fox took the front row for Giorgio Armani's Prive collection, to applaud the designer's silver and flesh-tone creations. Models sported identical short black wigs and crystal-encrusted stilettos.
 
Meanwhile Chanel's Karl Lagerfeld sprinkled rhinestones and sequins in royal plum over his creations for a regal touch in his collection at the Grand Palais. ·