Paul McCartney's Famous Daughter
Stella McCartney
Like her father, Stella McCartney is a vegetarian, and she manages to create a luxury fashion collection without using leather or fur. At left, McCartney acknowledges applause at the end of her Spring/Summer 2008 ready-to-wear show in Paris on Oct. 4, 2007.
Stella McCartney
McCartney's label is owned by the Gucci Group, but she also has deals with Adidas for sportswear, LeSportsac for bags and Bendon for lingerie, and creates limited editions for H&M and Target. That mass visibility is important: "Without visibility today, a luxury brand is not a luxury brand," said Cedric Charbit, of the French department store chain Printemps.
Stella McCartney
Models walk the outdoor runway at Stella McCartney's Spring/Summer 2008 ready-to-wear show in Paris on Oct. 4, 2007.
Stella McCartney
As McCartney's star rises, one of the great names in fashion is taking a last bow after 45 years. Valentino staged his last ready-to-wear show, winning a standing ovation from the audience on Oct. 3, 2007. He's not quite done yet: his final haute couture show is scheduled for Paris in January.
Valentino
Valentino said he wanted his penultimate collection to be young and joyful as a tribute to his fans. Here, models walk the runway in Valentino gowns during his Spring/Summer 2008 ready-to-wear show in Paris on Oct. 3, 2007.
Valentino
Valentino announced last month that he would retire in 2008. Alessandra Facchinetti, former designer of Gucci women's ready-to-wear, has been named to replace him. At left, a model wears a gown in Valentino's iconic shade of red at his Spring/Summer 2008 ready-to-wear show in Paris on Oct. 3, 2007.
Valentino
A model shows a fluffy white dress by Valentino at his Spring/Summer 2008 ready-to-wear show in Paris on Oct. 3, 2007.
Valentino
A model poses in a dress by Valentino at his Spring/Summer 2008 ready-to-wear show in Paris on Oct. 3, 2007.
Valentino
A model shows an outfit by Valentino during his Spring/Summer 2008 ready-to-wear show in Paris on Oct. 3, 2007.
Valentino
A model poses on the runway in a short dress by Valentino during his Spring/Summer 2008 ready-to-wear show in Paris on Oct. 3, 2007.
Christian Lacroix
Meanwhile, designer Christian Lacroix let loose a riot of color at his ready-to-wear show in Paris on Oct. 3, 2007. He showed bustier dresses in retro floral prints set off by jaunty cartwheel hats and straw boaters covered in silk scarves.
Christian Lacroix
Christian Lacroix is known for his exuberant colors. This time, the designer said his inspiration came from rummaging through images by 1940s American fashion photographers in preparation for a photography show in Arles, France.
Christian Lacroix
A model walks the runway in an outfit by designer Christian Lacroix during his Spring/Summer 2008 ready-to-wear show in Paris on Oct. 3, 2007.
Christian Lacroix
A model walks the runway in a long dress by designer Christian Lacroix during his Spring/Summer 2008 ready-to-wear show in Paris on Oct. 3, 2007.
Christian Lacroix
Designer Christian Lacroix kisses a model as he takes the stage at the end of his Spring/Summer 2008 ready-to-wear show in Paris on Oct. 3, 2007.
Riccardo Tisci
Riccardo Tisci, the young designer who has revived the fabled House of Givenchy, had a more down-to-earth spin on fashion for Spring/Summer 2008. At left, a model walks the runway during the Givenchy show in Paris on Oct. 3, 2007.
Riccardo Tisci
A model appears on the runway for designer Riccardo Tisci of Givenchy in Paris on Oct. 3, 2007.