Photographed by Gabriel Karanfil

PARIS, October, 5, 2005 - It�s hard to imagine what the pre-show music, �Suicide is painless� from M*A*S*H, had to do with the succinct, paired-down and risk-free collection that Andrew GN sent down the runway for Summer 2006. Black gabardine and white cr�pe, subtly wrapped with bands of shimmering appliqu�, made for an interesting opening sequence.

Pineapple motif�s were worked into vests , and a Sonia Rykiel-ish style cabbage was placed in the cleavage of spaghetti strap dress, but that was about as daring as it got. Hamish Bowles, US Vogue�s European Editor, and Virginie Mouzat, Le Figaro�s chief fashion editor, sat opposite each other on the front row, the latter busily sketching away.

Halfway through the show, the black and white palette broke into a prisms of emerald, sky-blue, chartreuse and multicolor prints. Dresses were sprinkled with polka dots and skirts constructed of tiers of ruffles.

Evening wear glazed in sequins seemed destined for some sulty summer soir�e.

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