RED haired men in tweeds pouted down the ramp to the sound of bleating sheep, as Christian Dior's Irish inspired menswear collection gave an opening boost to what seems set to be the Year of the Irish in France.
As the programme of cultural events, L'Imaginaire Irlandais, gets under way throughout France, Christian Dior's menswear designer, Patrick Lavoix, used the theme to produce a lavish display of plaids and tartans, inspired by a tourist brochure image of Ireland as a land of huntin', shootin' and Oscar Wilde dandies for his show in the Louvre.
"Fox hunting, tea at the manor house and sipping whiskey in front of the fire are activities that bring to mind carriage reds, wide cashmere tartans on soft turtleneck pullovers and midnight blue velvet sweater jackets," the Dior publicity purred.
The background was of scudding clouds and the soundtrack included Irish reels, U2, vitriol from Bob Geldof about back stabbing Irish bands, and a Seamus Heaney sonnet in English and French.
The Irish Ambassador to France, Mr Patrick O'Connor, and his wife, Patricia, were seated alongside Dior's main designer, Gianfranco Ferre. The embassy hosted a Dior reception last night.
Real Irish fashion was to be found elsewhere in Paris yesterday as John Rocha presented his menswear collection in the art deco Monde de l'Art centre.
Earlier in the week, the Imaginaire's extensive Irish poetry programme was launched in La Maison de la Poesie in Paris with an exhibition by Eoin O'Brien and David Davison of Samuel Beckett photographs.
A recital in French from the works of Oscar Wilde by the French actor Didier Saadre was held in the Moliere Theatre.
The six month festival of contemporary Irish culture will bring some 600 Irish artists, writers and designers to France.
The President, Mrs Robinson, is to attend some events in May, when the Abbey Theatre opens at the Odeon Theatre, an Irish visual arts show opens in L'Ecole des Beaux Arts, the Pompidou Centre showcases James Coleman, and Irish musicians take part in a "Celtic Spring" festival at La Villette.
"The French are already showing great interest and fantastic enthusiasm," said Imaginaire's Irish commissioner, Ms Doireann Ni Bhriain, yesterday.