Holey moley!

Designers in Paris seem to have a moth problem – but that hasn’t stopped them creating some gorgeous pieces. In a recession, we’re supposed to make do and mend (put down that $9,000 Balmain jacket right now!). As Rolf Snoeren of Viktor and Rolf said, "With the credit crunch and everybody cutting back, we decided to cut tulle ball gowns," that meant some giant moths have been living in their studio, making soccer ball-sized holes in elaborate tulle gowns; sometimes gnawing of the edges into a form resembling the Sydney Opera House, or biting right through the middle to reveal a slim waist.

Christophe Decarnin channelled a bit of Tina Turner in “Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome” – chain fringing, shoulder pads, slashing and distressing – but it’s the artfully “holey” jeans and T-shirts that will be flying off the shelves and into Rihanna’s wardrobe.

Yohji Yamamoto must have borrowed Tim Burton’s makeup artist for a little Halloween “Corpse Bride” magic, but the clothes followed his familiar Edwardian aesthetic. Long skirts, puffed sleeves, tailored jackets, Liberty prints… wait, is this Comme des Garçons? No it’s Yohji being more commercial than usual. And then, the moths attacked! Tattered Liberty print dresses were dishevelled and romantic, but it was the skinny jeans, jackets and rocker T-s all “damaged” with ragged holes and shrapnel burns – along with a soundtrack that included “Detroit Rock City”, that had the buyers sitting up.

Images from style.com: (In pairs) Viktor & Rolf, Viktor & Rolf, Balmain, Balmain, Yohji Yamamoto