Paris Fashion Week: Alena Akhmadullina Spring/Summer 2009

You know those Russian nesting dolls, the ones that you pull apart to find another, then another, then another? Now picture that little doll all grown up, with a little edge and a whole lot of attitude. That was the Alena Akhmadullina show in a nutshell.

The show, held Friday at the Carrousel du Louvre, featured ensembles that were both light and decadent, with rich colors, luxurious fabrics, traditional prints and woven accents inspired by Akhmadullina's native Russia. The designer played around a lot with thickly braided plait, adorning her delicate dresses with thick construction and accessorizing with funky woven hair bobbles that swung from the sides of the models' heads like dangly earrings.

The models floated down the runway like effervescent little fairies, sporting shocks of red hair that perfectly complemented the deep greens and purples and blues and creams of the collection. They looked delicate, but Akhmadullina, who is based in St. Petersburg, says her collection is for the modern woman who is daring and romantic and "aspires to be the first in everything" – sounds just like you!