Tadashi Shoji on Thursday paid homage to 15th-century Venice and the Grand Canal at sunset as it reflects the famous Ca' d'Oro palace in a collection of spring skirts, cocktail dresses and caped gowns that mixed lace with chain-mesh insets. "It's the juxtaposition of power and the feminine," the kind-faced Shoji said backstage after his show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Lincoln Center tents. Shoji is a history buff who has read a lot about old Venice. His royal golds, stately ivory and blush roses were nods to the gilt of the palace also known as the "golden house," and the soft light of sunset, he said. For some looks, he stayed true to his roots in silhouettes that would work for many shapes and sizes. "Any dress or clothes, most important is comfort," he said. "You pay $10,000, $20,000 for clothes and you can't move, you can't dance, you can't breathe. That doesn't make any sense. I want to make a very comfortable cocktail evening dress. That's my motto." Shoji included open chain mesh at the waist and cleavage, paired with silver and gold metallic embroidery. Other peekaboo moments were created with insets of sheer tulle. But it was the lace that dominated in his all-over use at a range of hemlines from above-the-knee to the floor.  

man";co? #3? ?? fareast-language:EN-GB'>Other celebs in attendance included Allison Williams of HBO's "Girls," and sisters Paris and Nicky Hilton.

   

5pt;? n-? ?? erdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#333333;mso-fareast-language:EN-GB'>Som turned to Christian Louboutin and his signature red soles for comfortable leather flat sandals in white, black and silver.

  While Shields appreciates Som's "mixed up things," she said her heart remains in thrift shops and vintage stores. She said they're easier to find in her part-time hometown outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico, than in Los Angeles, where she spends most of her time now. Anything in particular she likes to wear in her down time? "I'm not stuck on one thing," Shields said. "One day I'll wear a pair of leather pants and a blouse and then one day I'm going to be wearing a corseted dress from the '80s."  

to;? mr? ?? m-alt:auto; mso-line-height-alt:11.25pt;background:white'>But producers claim lavender oil should simply be reclassified under agricultural products.

  French producers don't oppose mentioning a potential allergy risk on their product, Vidal said, but they are adamantly against the kinds of dire labels that can be found on chemicals used in industrial processes, such as hydrochloric acid or cleaning products. "There is a risk being linked to a chemical, and can lead to confusion for consumers," said Emilie Zamora, in charge of communication for the PPAM, the union of producers of perfume, aromatic and medicinal plants. In addition, producers would themselves be responsible for carrying out the chemical analysis. Many are small farmers who couldn't afford the expensive procedure, Vidal said. Lavender farmers have received support from Raymond Chaillan, a French perfume creator whose nose helped create the scents for Opium, Anaïs Anaïs and Parfum d'Hermes. "This new directive will foreshadow the death of the plantations of lavender, of hybrid lavender, and the sage from the southeast of France, this agriculture of the dry mountains," Chaillan wrote in a statement to support lavender producers. "It will further reduce the perfumers' palette, limiting their creativity."