PARIS, Oct 4, 2009 / FW/ — There was a time when doing something monochromatic was considered sophomoric; but that has changed. Under the skillful hands of Haider Ackermann, monochrome has become cool, even aspirational.

Haider Ackermann Spring 2010

Sorbet shades of blue, beige and gray were complemented by electric blue and daffodil yellow, thus the tentative sexuality became romantic sensuality while the budding toughness turned into self-assurance.

Ackermann knows how to use a pair of scissors, snipping sleeves at a safari jacket to make it into a summer vest while a tunic was given a twisted neckline then cut at the shoulders so that the sleeves became keyholes.

Haider Ackermann has always been a personal favorite of mine and his show is always on my list. This season, interest in his work has been high because of the rumor going around that he is going to replace Martin Margiela at Maison Martin Margiela. I guess that remains to be seen.

[SARA CONDE]