Equestrian Styles on show in Paris Fashion Week

PARIS (AP) - Equestrian styles dominated two major collections on day six of Paris fashion week, with horse-riding vestments - some comfortably elegant, some racy in a constricting way - the motif explored by Hermes and Givenchy.

The gaucho or Argentine cowboy inspired a cool and confident mix of clothes at the Hermes show, set in the Ecole des Beaux Arts in the heart of Paris' Saint Germain area. The location seemed to have rubbed off on the collection, with a graceful Left Bank chic softening the edge of ponchos, chaps and coats held like matador's capes.

Givenchy's Riccardo Tisci, meanwhile, turned on the horsepower for a pulse-quickening show complete with retro variations on jodhpurs, riding jackets and racing boots.

In other collections, French designer Alexis Mabille revamped the schoolgirl bow ribbon, and Akris channelled the square silhouette - one of the defining looks this season.