Translation (finally 
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PRINCESS ASTRID PRAISES BELGIAN DESIGNERS AT THE PARIS FASHIONWEEK
Glitter, rich embroidery and on the one hand color, on the other black: the fashion that Paris brings us this week is full of contrast. During the defile of Dries Van Noten princess Astrid could tell for herself.
It was the first time Astrid was present -incognito- at a defile of Dries Van Noten. Together with her styleadvisor she had been getting used to the atmosphere of the Paris fashionweek all day long and she was clearly enjoying it. She absolutely didn't want to miss out on Van Noten. She wanted to know everything about the designer: how long he's been in business, where he lives, how his career has evolved, and all about the things that go on during a fashion week.
The princess, who has already bought a silver colored coat of Van Noten in Brussels was delighted about the collection: "I think she's beautiful and very feminite, I'm especially fond of the coats. I'm proud of our Belgian designers". After the defile she went to congratulate Dries Van Noten personally.
Unfortunately the princess couldn't make the defile of Veronique Branquinho because she had to catch her train.
Branquinho: the essence in black
The collection of Van Noten, based upon colors and rich fabrics, with embroidery and glow, was in contrast to the one of Veronique Branquinho, who focussed totally on black. No prints or colored details in sight. "I wanted to reduce everything to the essence: the cut" Branquinho said after the show. "I wanted the forms and details to speak for themselves, without having colors and motifs that draw the attention".
"I always work instinctively, I never think in terms of
seventies, eighties or other influences, trends pass me by. I do my own thing, which doesn't stop the 'spirit of time' from being present in my work."
"I don't think it's a risk to have a collection in one color, on the contrary, that way you give a sharp image. despite the fact that this collection seems very sober, it's one of the most labour-intensive ones I've ever produced. The cut is very well thought over and is more complicated than you would tell at first glance. I'm glad with the result."
Olivier Theyskens: poetic and feminite
Two years ago young Belgian Olivier Theyskens drew his first collection for Rochas. In the meanwhile he's found his place in the French couturehouse and he presents a coherent collection that's poetic, romantic and very feminite without being overloaded. The models nearly seemed to float in their dresses with a long train, inspired on 19th century models. There were also shorter and more wearable pieces, but the dreamgowns for women with a dreambudget were especially emphasized. Apparently his collection is top of the bill in America and Japan.
