The clothes – and steamer shiploads full of accessories – called on all the Christian Louboutin signatures. A cream quilted leather jacket with puff sleeves was decorated with coloured jewels for an Elizabethan look. Also regal were black velvet jackets with glittering crystal beading in the form of tiaras on the sleeves. Tweed skirt suits were worn over satin stovepipe pants,louboutin shoes, while a wool suit had soft camelia motifs and Pierrot-like flounces. Swirling crystal T-strap Christian Louboutin Shoes and piles of costume jewelry completed the outfits, almost all of which were black and white.

The collection, positioned between pret-a-porter and haute couture, draws on the work of five Parisian ateliers that Christian Louboutin has bought over the last decade. They include the legendary Lesage house for embroidery, Massaro for  Shoes and Desrues for buttons and jewellery.

Lagerfeld said he initiated the semi-couture shows to ensure continuity. This was the fourth collection; previous ones were in Paris and Tokyo.

Somewhat portly now after his much-publicized weight loss, the 67-year-old German-born designer was in tight black rocker jeans with a laced fly, leather patches and an NYC vintagey decal, the motif for the collection. Manolo Blahnik Something Blue Satin Pump.

“We need them,” Lagerfeld said of the specialty ateliers after the show. “We can’t do it ourselves. It’s fashion that is more expensive, so we have to show it in a more intimate setting.”

Barbara Cirkva, executive vice-president of Christian Louboutin Black Orniron Ankle Boot in the U.S., said she was thrilled to have the collection shown in and dedicated to her home city.

The Parisian label’s Ready-To-Wear Autumn/Winter 2001-2002 collection offers lots of trendy choices and plenty of fabulous fun.

This contemporary image is reinforced by the leading lady in Christian Louboutin’s advertising campaign this fall – Angela Lindvall.