To many people, Paris is the center of the fashion world, as it always was but there is a big difference.  When you ask who designs for the big fashion houses now, it’s a British, Italian, German or American name you might hear.  For instance, at Chanel the designer is Karl Lagerfeld, and Stella McCartney designs for Chloe.  The Chanel ethic of cutting edge contemporary design is still in place, it just has a younger spin and appeals to women like Posh Spice, who want to wear the now looks, but for a younger persona.  Strapless and shimmery are the two words from Chanel and they are back to making the hand bag a huge part of the “look” for this season. You will still find the pure French talent of Jean-Paul Gautier and Christian Lacroix, alive and well in this city of haute couture.  Gautier is mixing more “street look of the young” into his spring look and it’s a mix of elegant fabrics and simplistic lines, and these dresses are short or to the floor.  The colors are electric, and the detailing, beading, lace and trims are almost over-the-top, but not quite.  Lacroix is just the opposite.  He still maintains a quiet elegance and a traditional look with well fitting dresses that compliment the waist and shoulder, and fabric that has a shine and rustle, but it does not overshadow the woman wearing the outfit.   If you want to see what I am trying to describe, check out this site and click on the designer name ,to get an idea of FRENCH FASHION from it’s maker. http://www.modeaparis.com/vf/couturiers/