She took cues from the opulence of imperial Russia - with all its glitz and glamour.

"It's what felt right," she said backstage after the last Swarovski crystal-encrusted outfit made its appearance on the runway. "I think it's the return of the lady dressing up and I'm all about the sophisticated lady."

This lady wears a chocolate-brown taffeta shift with a sweetheart neckline lined with jewels or a navy velvet minidress with ruffled short sleeves, also with crystals around the neck.

Verrier noted, however, that the Russian, and especially Peter Faberege - he of the famous eggs - also had a bohemian side. That came through in a sheer iridescent peasant blouse in pink chiffon worn with a brown taffeta tiered skirt.

A lace-and-crystal blouse with a pencil skirt, again dotted with crystal, seemed over the top, which might have been right for a czarina but not your modern woman.

A handful of outfits featured elegant evening pants, the best being a pair of navy wide-legged trousers in silk faille paired with a winter-white silk velvet blouse with a silk pleated collar and cluster of pears at the neckline.

Some of the coats also were outstanding. They were short, swinging and luxurious thanks to fur collars.