1.   Although they are little known to the public, muses, by whatever name, have long had a role in design houses, especially in France.

2.   And finally, Prada, the influential Italian design house, brought shine back in first in nylon bags, then patent leather shoes, vinyl and nylon clothes.

3.   And most computer-aided design houses expect the resumption of new construction to spur their business.

4.   And small design houses now find it safer and are surviving by establishing their own boutiques instead of relying on department stores.

5.   Big design houses knew the clothes were salable because they were already being worn.

6.   -- The court sidestepped a family squabble about trademark rights to the Gucci name, used by the famous Italian design house.

7.   A sure sign of a design house becoming a contender is the development of year-round deliveries.

8.   Bridge lines, which are the less expensive labels from high-end design houses, as well as designer merchandise also were hard hit.

9.   But that is not the direction women or smaller design houses are going toward for fall, or even spring.

10.   But the German design house produced a couple of more unexpected looks as well.