PARIS, March 4, 2006 - Petals fluttered from the ceiling, and a giant Japanese lantern opened to a cherry tree in bloom, as models stepped out from behind delicate branches for the finale of the Kenzo show on Saturday.

Program notes spoke of a princess looking down from another world, inaccessible and distant as the moon, and the show itself was dreamy, far more leisurely moving than previous seasons.

Antonio Marras has done wonders at Kenzo, and this season he continued his winning streak with a collection full of dazzling embroidery and floral prints that at times seemed to evoke Russian peasant dresses, and the next the wardrobe of a South American alpaca herder. A poncho cascaded in ruffle trim. A floating velvet gown sparkled in a glaze of crystal embroidery. A simple cape sported a hood trimmed in fur. The layering of military-style camouflage jackets over a short ruffled chiffon dresses was innovative, as was the use of floral boots.

The majestic soundtrack was perfect accompaniment for a show with so much finesse.