Versace went back to its roots Monday night, or make that the Ritz.

Versace Couture Spring/Summer 2004 Women's Collection, January 19. 2004 in Paris, France. [Gruber - Fashion Wire Daily]

After a hiatus of several seasons, the Medusa label showed its latest couture collection Monday night in the pool of the Ritz in Paris, scene of the late great Gianni's greatest triumphs. And the house got a star-studded turnout worthy of the late designer.

Christina Aguilera, dwarfed by some immense security guards, caused a stampede on the golden catwalk as made her way to her front row seat, showing off her now look D she just dyed her hair black.

Near her sat sultry sexy actress Elodie Bouchez and Virgine Ledoyen, plus Pharrell Williams, the latest R n B star with a clothing line to come to couture to complete his fashion education.

"I loved it. It was minimal but not skimpy," Pharrell told FWD, as he proudly showed off a golden robot and enormous ring, part of his own Billionaire Boy collection. "I'm in the fashion business too," remarked the affable Pharrell.

In a poignant moment, Mohammed Al Fayed, also took a seat front row in the hotel from which his son Dodi and Princess Diana made their ill-fated final journey along the Seine five years ago.

Back up the catwalk, the look kept to the recent Versace preference for Palm Beach meets Las Vegas, as Donatella slickly showed off her mastery of the couture atelier, like the pant suit with lace insertions worn by Karolina Kurkova that opened the show.

There were some great evening gowns, including a spectacularly grand number in black D think Goya on ecstasy on assignment for Italian Vogue and you get the picture. But the highlight was a clutch of cascading spaghetti dresses with crystal fringes that will grace many a cover, and charm lots of clients.

All great, snazzy and up-tempo fashion that will appeal to lots of Versace fans, who booked out appointments for private fittings all Tuesday above Versace's flagship Faubourg St Honore boutique.

The show ended with an operatic finale with Puccini?s "Gianni Schichi" mixed with a heavy trance beat before the audience broke into hearty applause.

Also enjoying the scene was Chris Noth, here filming the final two episodes of "Sex and the City."

"I never get to shows, but I thought it was tremendous. So much excitement and glamour! But if you want an expert opinion you should really ask her," said Noth, nodding in the direction of the beautiful Spanish actress Maria Jurado, dressed tip to toe in white Versace.

Post-show, the super svelte Donatella showed how much energy this gal has. She staged a party in VIP on the Champs Elysees, where the designer, Pharrell, Aguilera and Kurkova ended up dancing together for 90 minutes.

Close

Today's Top News		Top Lifestyle News
+China GDP speeds up; pace seen continuing ( 2004-01-20) +China vows keep bird flu out of the country ( 2004-01-21) +Bush to set re-election themes in speech ( 2004-01-21) +China opposes Taiwan Relations Act ( 2004-01-21) +US sets duties on Chinese bags ( 2004-01-21)		+'American Idol' has best debut of season ( 2004-01-21) +Versace: The stars go down to the Ritz ( 2004-01-21) +China-made bronze elephant from France visits homeland ( 2004-01-21) +Holiday period boosts car rental business ( 2004-01-21) +Love for monkeys heats up as Chinese New Year sets in ( 2004-01-20)