"Minnie Mouse meets Helmut Newton", declared Zac Posen, minutes before his autumn/winter collection hit the catwalk.

Posen saved the best for last - a truly romantic parade of shirred, ruffled, finger-tip pleated tulle.

The skirts were sometimes like ballet-dancer tutus, or otherwise swept the floor, but many were 'hooped' or reinforced with wire so they dipped and swayed like crinolines in Gone with the Wind.

Marion Cotillard, who was nominated for an Oscar for her star turn as Edith Piaf in "La Vie en Rose," has her finger on the pulse of elegance and style.  She's just 32 years old but already has a taste for some of the more mature looks of the classic designers.  Especially Chanel. And it seems the love is felt right back considering the afterparty for the screening of "La Vie En Rose" was presented by Chanel at the Chanel store in ...