Grazia in Paris: feathers at Roger Vivier

In the rarefied word of high jewellery and couture, there is definitely a bird thing going on. Birds of paradise and flamingos at Van Cleef & Arpels. Firebirds at Faberge. And now sparrows at Roger Vivier. The Piu Piu Piu bag from the couture collection has a clasp made of two cast-bronze sparrows perched on a golden twig and kissing. And because this is couture, these sparrows get to wear heron feathers specially groomed for them by master feather craftsmen Lemariee.

Another predominant theme is black, which, of course, is fashion's staple colour, but this season seems to suggest that behind the exuberance of Paris fashion there is something a little triste. I guess bottomed out bank accounts will do that to you if you are in the business of big, big, big ticket items.

In any case, the ability to craft a crocodile skin into something that feels as soft as satin never fails to amaze. And Carla Bruni gets a bag named after her: a very demure bag with a flirtatious name... she already has a Carlalala in the smaller version than the one designer Bruno Frisoni showed today.

- Paula Reed