It is hard to explain the notion of high fashion, let alone avant-garde fashion. But that didn't stop The Fifth European Festival of avant-garde collections, Albo-Fashion - `99 who presented their show December 11, from attempting to come up with their own definition.

Before the event was over, the jury named Maka Asathiani, a Georgian high-fashion designer, as the Queen.

Maka Asathiani opened a high-fashion house and presented her first collection to the world in the last year. The collection was, without doubt, very beautiful, featuring elements of national color and an athletic style in line with high-fashion trends of the late 20th century.

Albo-Fashion festivals graphically reflect the history of avant-garde fashion, which has been transformed from an exciting and non-commercial, theatrical show into a profit-making business over the last decade. Albo-Fashion is often associated with the names of Olivier Lapidus, Dirk Bikkembergs, Andrew Logan and many other high-fashion celebrities who are now frequent visitors to Moscow.

Also notable was the stylish and elegant collection presented by Pavel Kaplyevich - a well-known designer and stage decorator. Remarkably, he created these garments in 1992 but did not show them to the public until this year. The collection, a truly masterful display called "Strolls Around the Kremlin," exploits the theme of the Kremlin towers.

Another impressive feature of the Fifth Albo-Fashion festival was the participation of the recognized king of London fetish-fashion, Dane, who won the heart of Europeans by presenting a totally unexpected and provocative approach to high-fashion and attracting the attention of such stars as Nenah Cherry and The Spice Girls.