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You might think the world's most elegant fashion designers spend the summer on Riviera beaches. But they're more often seen in Europe's capitals, showing off the finery they're getting ready for next year. Take a look at some sumptuous clothes from the latest shows. At left, a model shows a dress by Ella Zahlan at her Fall/Winter 2008 show in Rome on July 12, 2007.
Ella Zahlan
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Ella Zahlan is a young Lebanese designer known for her haute couture gowns and wedding dresses. At left, a model shows one of her elaborately detailed dresses during Zahlan's Fall/Winter 2008 show on July 12, 2007.
Ella Zahlan
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A model swirls down the runway in a dress by Ella Zahlan during her Fall/Winter 2008 show on July 12, 2007.
PROTOTYPE.Schumacher
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A more casual look was on the runway at the fashion show staged by the trendy PROTOTYPE.Schumacher label, designed by German-born designer Sigrid Schumacher. At left, models in bright colors walk the runway at the show on July 13, 2007, during Berlin Spring/Summer 2008 Fashion Week.
PROTOTYPE.Schumacher
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A model shows a mini dress at the PROTOTYPE.Schumacher fashion show on July 13, 2007 in Berlin.
PROTOTYPE.Schumacher
Getty Images/MJ Kim
A model walks the runway at the PROTOTYPE.Schumacher fashion show on July 13, 2007 in Berlin, Germany.
Sisi Wasabi
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This bright blue gown was featured at the Spring/Summer 2008 show by the hot young German label Sisi Wasabi on July 13, 2007 in Berlin.
Sisi Wasabi
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A model shows a short dress at the Sisi Wasabi fashion show on July 13, 2007 in Berlin.
Renato Balestra
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A highlight of Rome Fashion Week was the show by Renato Balestra, known for dressing jet set and Hollywood royalty. Here, a model poses on the runway during Balestra's Fall/Winter 2008 Haute Couture collection in Rome's Palazzo Valentini on July 12, 2007.
Berlin Fashion Week
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At Berlin Fashion Week, six up-and-coming designers showed collections that will be offered exclusively on eBay. Here, German TV presenter Mareile Hoeppner models a dress by Tulpen Design on July 12, 2007.
Hugo Boss
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A model walks the runway at the Hugo Boss fashion show during Berlin Fashion Week on July 12, 2007.
Abed Mahfouz
AP Photo/Andrew Medichini
One of the most spectacular shows at Rome Fashion Week came from Lebanese-born couturier Abed Mahfouz. Here, a model appears in a Mahfouz gown at the Mahfouz Fall/Winter 2008 show on July 12, 2007.
Abed Mahfouz
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A model shows a gown by Abed Mahfouz in Rome on July 12, 2007.
Abed Mahfouz
AP Photo/Andrew Medichini
A model appears in a gown by Abed Mahfouz in Rome on July 12, 2007.
Abed Mahfouz
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A model appears in a gown by Abed Mahfouz in Rome on July 12, 2007.
Gianni Calignano
AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino
Designer Gianni Calignano kept it short and sharp. Here, a model wears a dress from the Italian designer's 2008 collection on July 10, 2007 in Rome.
Gianni Calignano
AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino
A model poses in a dress by designer Gianni Calignano in Rome on July 10, 2007.
Cecilia Yau
AP Photo/Vincent Yu
Meanwhile, Hong Kong is no longer a fashion outpost. The latest Hong Kong Fashion Week drew a record 1,147 exhibitors from 19 countries. At left, models wear dresses from Hong Kong-based designer Cecilia Yau's Spring/Summer 2008 collection on July 10, 2007.
