In New York, Paris or Milan, a fashion pedigree is necessary for entrance into any designer fashion show. You need to be Anna Wintour (editor of Vogue), Cathy Horyn (fashion writer for the New York Times) or a Hollywood celeb to see the styles that will set the tone for the coming seasons.

Thanks to Hawai'i's status as a retail mecca for customers of luxury brands, though, local folks — even those without any fashion connections — can sometimes glimpse designer clothes and supermodels.

Ala Moana Center's World Festival offers such opportunities every fall. On Nov. 5, Dior's Resort Collection for 2006 came right into the mall, thanks to a runway that extended outside the Dior store. Those who withstood the throngs were treated to a show of fashions straight from Paris.

The crowd was dominated by Japanese visitors who strained to see Rinka, an actress/supermodel often referred to as "Japan's Jessica Simpson." They were not disappointed. She charmed them, posing for countless photos with a genuine smile and generous attitude, comfortable with all the adulation but not seeming to take it for granted.

Another World Festival guest, Carson Kressley of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," also did not disappoint. He is as funny in person as he is on the hit TV show. Wearing an eclectic mix of designer clothes and his signature tousled hair, he worked the crowd in a disarming fashion.

The runway, created by Hawai'i's own fashion insider, Dean Christopher of New York and Manoa, was a sparkling mix of mirrors and Mylar. The newly renovated store is an elegant white-on-white confection, and the added silver and mirrors made it glimmer.

AS FOR THE FASHIONS ...

Dior's John Galliano is among the handful of designers who set the trends that determine what we will all be wearing in the coming seasons.

His resort 2006 collection is clearly influenced by a diverse palette and world view: the raw, sensual attitude of Argentina and Peru, the slinky, sultry '30s cabaret singer and the '50s starlet visiting Asia for a grand tour.

The collection is a confluence of hard and soft, masculine and feminine, dainty Victorian camisoles paired with structured denim. Fragile chiffons are worn with silks of vibrant Peruvian blues, pinks and oranges. Cocktail dresses are backless, pleated and plunging, with clever twists to assist the drape. Glamorous column dresses are reminiscent of Rita Hayworth in the '40s or Grace Kelly in the '50s.

Many of Galliano's collections have featured Chinese influences, and this one is no exception. Embroidered blossoms on silk taffeta, velvet flowers on a cafe-au-lait dress and a nude silk crepe de chine confection add an Asian vibe. In a news release, Galliano explained it this way: "Imagine a 1950s starlet stepping off the plane for a tour of the Orient, with a trousseau for today. Old-school heroine meets modern day misfit."

Black was barely present. Galliano instead opted for lots of white as well as nude, dusty taupe, gunmetal and sea foam. There were also some deep, rich colors: periwinkle, navy, garnet and dark gray.

For those who love to be up with the trends but can't afford designer clothes, start scouring the thrift stores now for vintage lace or lingerie.

It also would be wise to up the ante with workouts focusing on the waist. Nipped-in waists were ubiquitous.

Reach Paula Rath at prath@honoluluadvertiser.com.