Feathers, cat prints at ravishing romantic, Valli

PARIS — Neo-romantic Italian designer Giambattista Valli delivered Monday a feather-filled spring-summer 2010 ready-to-wear collection guaranteed to turn even the ugliest of ducklings into a swan.

The plumage, dainty ostrich feathers in scarlet, emerald, white and black, covered the skirts of A-line cocktail dresses with transparent bodices and quivered daintily across the shoulders of wide-cut day coats.

Even the looks that had no feathers had tiers of finely shredded chiffon that looked like it dreamed of one day becoming feathers.

But Valli — who last season sent out dramatic, peacock feather-covered gowns and coats — also delivered less fluffy looks this time around, sending out bold dresses and 1950s style coats in a graphic black-and-white print. There was also a sizable contingent of oversized ocelot prints, like on a swingy coat hung all around with a row of long black fringe.

Italian party girl Margherita Missoni was one of several celebrity guests, including Mary-Kate Olsen, to gush about Monday's collection and give Valli air kisses backstage after the show.

"I loved it. It was one of my favorite collections by Giambattista in the past years," said Missoni, whose grandfather founded the mythic Missoni knitwear house.

Asked what particular pieces she had her eye on, she responded "many, many, many."