Fashion...and Christian Dior in London say the theme for their new autumn and winter collection is lean and elegant, with black the dominant colour. they presented the collection in London on Tuesday (12 September).

SYNOPSIS: Outside their West End salon, Dior showed an outfit in their favoured colour: a frock coat and trousers, both in black wool. The ensemble costs clients eight hundred and twenty dollars (GBP 425), and is offset with a shirt in beige silk, and what looks like a fur sombrero.

To keep off the chill winds at point-to-point meetings, a brown tweed coast of cavalry length, above a matching skirts. A cream silk blouse gives the urban touch. The three items are a steal at thirteen hundred dollars (GBP 675).

And two little numbers for secretaries of means worming in offices without air conditioning: reversible cardigan and waistcoat, burgundy on one side and aubergine on the other.

Passers-by perhaps turning into potential clients as they study crepe suits in pale pink and light grey. Each one would dent the housekeeping funds to the tune of five hundred and thirty dollars (GBP275).

Finally, for the liberated silhouette: an evening dress in embroidered peach silk -- price unstated.