So coveted are those and similar pieces shown on the fall runways that retailers are racing to keep up.

On the fall runways, Maria Carla Boscono upstaged even the loveliest designer clothes when she strutted onto the catwalk, her long raven tresses shorn into a peroxide pixie.

From "Avengers"-style nappa leather bodysuits through bitter-chocolate-colored suede boots, leather was prominent on the fall runways.

Diego Dolcini for Trend Les Copains (807 Madison Avenue, near 67th Street) showed a version for $290 (bottom right) on the fall runway with a skinny, midcalf tweed skirt.

All that changed on the fall runways.

But such caution goes unheeded by many young women, who may be hoping to approximate a look that originated on the fall runways.

Rayder made her Paris runway debut on the 1997 fall runway for designers like Chanel, Christian Lacroix, and Dries van Noten.

There were more feathers flying on the fall runways than at a sorority pillow fight.

"Last March at the fall runway shows in Europe we saw head wraps even with the Chanels," said Jane Tuma, the fashion director for accessories at Saks Fifth Avenue.

"From my standpoint, I want to wear everything," says Dell, who today is dressed in a black tank dress that shows off her triceps, and chunky wedge lace-ups straight off the fall runway.