For his Fall/Winter 2008-2009 haute couture season, Christian Lacroix orchestrated a moving cortège of woodland nymphs and forest fairies.

In a spectacular entrance, Vlada (Christian Lacroix's bride-to-be) opened the spectacle at the Centre Georges Pompidou, donning the panoply of William Shakespeare's "The Phoenix and the Turtledove' -- faille sleeves peeking through a painstakingly embroidered gemstone arabesque teetered atop a playful turtledove crepeline skirt.

Accentuated by Michel Gaubert's brilliant music coordination, Lacroix harmonized all the senses with this expressionistic short paisley ecru dress. Whether it was the vivid Russian motif or the eerily Lonhengrin-esque appeal, Alyona appeared as if she traversed straight out of a Kandinsky painting.

"Petite Aussie" Skye Stracke roused the crowd in a carnival of color accentuated with a giant black taffeta bow appliqué that would even pique the heed of Alexis Mabille! Lacroix's artful atelier painted massive fuchsia carnations on this utterly delightful ruffled satin dress.

Soon thereafter, Siri Tollerød emerged in a mini chiffon dress adorned with enormous carnations under a sprightly wool coat painted fancifully with a massive carmine brush. Assembled in the whimsical manner of a Paul Klee oeuvre, the girlish ensemble bore a remarkably fun, childlike appearance. The matching tights and quirky buttons were a definite departure from the historically laden collection; however it no less appeared as if rendered by the same hand.

In perhaps the most youthful ensemble of the afternoon, 16-year-old model phenom Tanya D. wowed Hamish with her twee-cum-wordly appeal. Lacroix described this dress's medium as a "makeup" crepe -- no doubt accentuated by Stéphane Marais' exquisite maquillage -- beneath a pleated flesh and noir overskirt.

Constructed with the softest of hands, the romance ensued as Romina emerged as a forest nymph in perhaps the most wearable dress of the collection. The long sheath with booming, practically buoyant balloon sleeves and elephantine ribbon pleats in black and "crème brûlée" chiffon tousled with a rainy day faille appropriate for the prettiest of woodland sprites.

Belarusian butterfly Olga Sherer -- who has taken a remarkable bite out of Haute Couture week (also walking in Armani Privé, Christian Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Valentino) -- was a ravishing extension of the sunlight flowing through the glassy façade of the Pompidou. The turtledove theme was once again explored in this romantic long draped sunflower chiffon dress accentuated with black and turquoise bows and a pearl grey satin scarf.

Paging Cate Blanchett! Kim Noorda -- Olga Sherer's fellow mannequin in Nick Knight's Fall/Winter 2008-2009 Bottega Veneta campaign -- dazzled in the what will likely be the most custom-ordered piece of the collection. With refined ruffles and elegant layers, Lacroix's "poppy" chiffon dress is sure to be a Hollywood favorite come award season.

A masked Magdalena Frackowiak channelled an unmistakable Moulin Rouge mien-- in the poshest, ritziest sensibility, of course -- in this flounced bustier rose of a dress.

Elle Macphereson and Heidi Klum are going to have to bid "auf wiedersehen" to their "the body" status; Catherine McNeil's stunning soma stole the show in a classicly Lacroix more-is-more dress abounding with floral and washed silk bountifully overlaid in embroidered black lace. An ebony corset-carapace and full faille overskirt impeccably appliquéd with flounces, faux-bows, and pleats galore could barely conceal McNeil's radtastic physique and major boobage.

Despite its heavy damask fabrication, a pastoral Tanya evoked the light, dulcet drama of Handel's water music. The intricate "Miss Muffet" ensemble of silver lamé and floral silk sleeves was furbelowed with iridescent lace. A long almond jacket embroidered with tauromachian flowers, milky duchess waistcoat, ankle-skimming dress, Claude Monet-inspired bustier, and pistachio silk skirt with wispy bouquet embroidery evoked a romanticized country existence.

Behold the breathtaking bride of the ball! Vlada was a comely feast for the eyes in arguably Lacroix's most awe-inspiring wedding finery to date. Bringing the romantic turtledove allusion full circle, the dress was fabricated in "dove's breast" satin. A lace jabot, pinafore skirt and inflated sleeves were charmingly knotted in a blushing pink faille.