>> The runway at Lanvin was watered down to look like wet pavement, but the collection was anything but washed up — Alber Elbaz formulated dresses in a modern ode to the '40s power woman, frame bags their accessory of choice.  Largely black with a flash of red or nude, the collection was sensual, glamourous, but appropriately sober — filled with the kind of pieces that will encourage women to bring out their pocketbooks, even in these tight times — those necklaces!  A testament to his devotion to the collection, each outfit was baptized with a name — Arlette or Violette; Alber always knows how to serve it up — whether it be the chocolate cherries and cherry rum cocktails white bow-tie-clad waiters offered pre-show, or the clothes themselves — and this is no exception.
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