WHAT'S cool and chic at the moment? Here is a summary of what's happening on the catwalks around the world.

　　The Alberta Ferretti woman is always the one with the most femininity and charm. This winter, chiffon dresses and smart coats in red, burgundy, pink and purple play the leading role in the collection. Sweet and provocative, she will raise everyone's temperature everywhere.

　　Antonio Marras is excellent in creating dresses in ethnic styles. His collection is rich in exquisite details. Women in his floral, dark but mysterious colours and layers of embroidery and laces look like the princesses of an exotic tribe.

　　The designer Catherine Malandrino was born in France but now is redhot in New York. She shows sophisticated women how to be sensuous and modern. In this collection, dynamic leather pants, trench coats and mini-skirts give the modern woman more confidence.

　　Chloe has long been favoured by women who are especially romantic and playful. This season, the designer has added even more romantic details such as layers, mixes of textures, floral patterns, slinky fabrics, and turns out a surprising array of flouncy skirts, skinny jeans and flippy dresses.

　　Rich details, magnificent fabrics and exquisite handicraft all work to create elegant women. Alber Elbaz, the designer of Lanvin attracts women with classic styles, charm and originality. The gorgeous cocktail dresses he designed for this winter definitely come as a kind of revelation.

　　Bold enough to carry off complex contradictions, Michael Kors pairs the shortest, leggiest dresses with over-sized jackets that might have been borrowed from a man's closet. He knows just how to make tight leggings, rough, tough leathers and plush cashmere absolutely dazzling.

　　Casual wear, even sports wear, can also display luxury. The London designer Nichole Farhi realizes this in a perfect way by bringing us everyday luxury. Casual design plus luxury furs and leather, women will know at once, casual wear that will be essential in daily life.

　　It is unbelievable that men's shirts, well-worn tweeds and cheeky turns on schoolboy uniforms can look so feminine, but Paul Smith does it. Combined with bright palettes, classic patterns and slinky dresses, he succeeds.

　　Smart caps, mini but lovely skirts, semi-transparent top wear - Di Alberta Ferretti makes magic: just change a piece, the style will go from tough to tender, from sexy to sweet. Women may like to play such games to suit their changing moods.

　　Compared with some other international brands which have so many exquisite and expensive details, Proenza Schouler, combines the work of two 24-year-old designers for more wearable but unforgettable, cool fashions.

　　What does elegance look like? Please see this season's Stella McCartney collection. Tweed pencil skirts and blousy, cropped satin jackets with pink tones, as elegant as Audrey Hepburn in "Roman Holiday". (Star News)