ESTRELLA ARCHS SPRING 2009

Spanish designer Estrella Archs presented her Spring 2009 collection at Le Parking Turenne in Paris. Le Parking, a parking garage in the chic Marais district, was the perfect backdrop for Archs' collection, which unlike the bulk of the shows in Paris, which tend to be major productions, was a straightforward runway presentation.

The simpleness of the setting was a perfect balance for the collection, titled "Earthly, Heavenly, De-Light in Cadaqués," which was heavy on feminine silk frocks, delicate geometric detailing, and vibrant colors.

Though it was distracting being seated next to two older women who every two second noted "c'est jolie, o c'est jolie," I couldn't help but agree – Archs delivered a playfully interesting collection that, although not always easy to pull-off, is for the most part wearable.

Standouts were a bright bubble jacket in poppy-red duchess satin and a black cotton organza dress that had cutouts made to look like a long pearl necklace.