Whoever said that polka dots and stripes don't go together?

French designer Christian Lacroix broke every rule in the fashion book at his recent show, with outfits that joyously clashed patterns and luxurious fabrics from patterned silks to gold brocade.

A white organza blouse hand-painted with a blue, yellow and black stained-glass pattern was paired with a gold lame skirt embroidered with carnations.

Meanwhile, polka dots large and small played hide-and-seek on a tulip dress with striped ruffles at the sleeves.

Lacroix, who studied art history before turning to fashion design, is famed for his irreverent use of colours inspired by his native Provence. Hothouse pinks, citruses and aqua colours have emerged as a major trend for next spring, but basically, anything goes.

"You can never say there's a no-no, because as soon as you say that one colour doesn't work, you can find women who can wear it and wear it well," said Ken Downing, senior vice-president and fashion director at Neiman Marcus.

And why stop with an arresting outfit? The accessories on display included bold statement jewellery like huge silver bauble necklaces and full-frontal perspex bibs that were laser-cut into shapes resembling a cross between a skeleton and a chandelier.