FIVE HUNDRED PEOPLE CROWDED TO SEE THE LATEST FASHIONS FROM THE OLDEST ESTABLISHED FASHION HOUSE IN LUMBUMBASHI, IN CONGO-KINSHASA.

THE 'HAUTE COUTURE 69' PARADE BY THE "SEDUCTION" FASHION HOUSE CONTAINED A WIDE VARIETY OF UP-TO-THE-MINUTE DAY AND EVENING DRESSES. MOST OF THE LIGHT-WEIGHT DAY DRESSES WERE KNEE LENGTH, THOUGH AMONG THE COCKTAIL DRESSES MINIS CAME INTO THEIR OWN.

THE FASHION EMPHASIS THIS YEAR SEEMED TO BE ON NECKLINES, RATHER THAN HEMLINES, WITH ATTRACTIVE NECK DETAILS LIGHTENING THE CLASSICALLY SIMPLE LINES OF THE DRESSES.

IN THE FORMAL EVENING WEAR THERE WERE TOUCHES OF THE ORIENT IN THE USE OF SHINY LUREX FABRICS AND LONG SIDE-SLIT OVER-TUNICS. BUT NOTHING COULD HAVE BEEN CLOSER TO THE SWINGING LONDON LOOK THAN THE SHINY LOW-BACKED CAT-SUIT.

THESE FASHIONS WILL BE ON SALE THROUGHOUT CONGO-KINSHASA IN THE SHOPS OF THE 'AFRICAN MODE' GROUP.