Covet the shoes . . .

All kinds of ornamentation decorates spring fashion, from T-shirts with silver shoulders to dresses with lavish fabric embellishment. In keeping with the mood, these extraordinary ribboned shoes (above) are part of the new collection from Vionnet, in the latest revival of the prestigious French couture house.

Designed by Rodolfo Paglialunga, formerly of Prada, the debut Vionnet collection features Grecian-style draped dresses and soft shoulderlines, but the shoes are in a league of their own. Some have heavy pearl and silver decor and printed silk bows tied around the ankle on both peep-toed stilettos or sandals. Available from Brown Thomas, Dublin.

. . . BUT SKIP THE SKIRT

If there’s one detestable shape, in my opinion, that flatters no woman, it’s the drape-fronted skirt, such as this one (from Vionnet) which may be coming to get us in the spring collections, but should be avoided at all costs. Maybe it’s the way the drape draws the eye upwards, but the gap it creates can make the most beautiful legs look ugly, not to speak of what it does to the hips . . . leave well alone on the hangar.