Fashion Week hit for Stella

Stella McCartney stuns Paris with her most gorgeous collection to date

There have been jumpsuits and oversized boyfriend jackets aplenty on the runways this season, but if anyone knows how to sell them it's Stella McCartney who has been designing such items for so long they're practically signature pieces.

Yesterday, at her spring/summer '09 catwalk show in Paris, she sent her latest incarnations down the runway framed by a cartoon-inspired felt backdrop, designed by British artists Jake and Dinos Chapman.

The clothes themselves, however, were no laughing matter, just seriously, unashamedly covetable.

The aforementioned jumpsuits came with plunging, deep lapels, setting the mood for a collection which was awash with menswear-inspired tailoring and cuts.

Oversized jackets – another Stella classic – were worn over sexy little cocktail dresses or a sweet fine knit vest and sparkling leggings.

There was a slight whiff of the Eighties with the odd exaggerated shoulder-pad, a natty little satin bomber jacket and a few dance-inspired jersey pieces, but nothing veered too far into the 'retro' bracket

The palette? A dreamy blend of rosebud pinks, soft nudes and crystal blue, interspersed with the odd monochrome print and embellished with crystals.

Her dad's track Maybe I'm Amazed sang out as Stella took her turn on the catwalk, echoing the delighted smiles of the front row.

Well, almost all the front row. Those sitting in front of Sacha Baron Cohen – in attendance as his camp alter ego Bruno – weren't quite so happy.

Sucking on tampons and clapping loudly along to the music, he ruffled more than a few feathers as he repeatedly pushed the editors in front of him out of the way to get a better look at the clothes.

Still, he was the only one who gave Stella a standing ovation. Maybe he knows more about fashion than we'd give him credit for?

PHOTOS: STELLA MCCARTNEY CATWALK COLLECTION

VIDEO: STELLA MCCARTNEY CATWALK COLLECTION

Report by Carla Bevan