Paris Fashion Week, Spring 2008: Viktor & Rolf

After last season, when models walked out attached to their own personal lighting apparatuses, I was curious to see what gimmick Viktor & Rolf would come up with next.

Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren are romancing the harlequin for Spring: Pierrot collars, pom-poms, diamond shapes, and violins were choice motifs. The pretty palette was Chanel-inspired: black, white, blushing pink and peach. There were a couple trademark fashion-as-surrealist-art outfits — the ruffled pink coat which framed the model's face with a white rosette and pink violin, for instance.

But as the models emerged from a gaping mouth, it was clear that Viktor & Rolf was going more commercial. Wearable silk minidresses with lace collars and multiple beautiful tiered gowns were red carpet-ready. Even the violin theme was toned down to a lace appliqué or a necklace. Subtle Viktor & Rolf, but the Amsterdam-based fashion brand still astounds.

To see more from V&R, including a runway video, read more