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As we were perusing Style.com's extensive photo collections of Paris' current fashion week extravaganza, we couldn't help but notice the lack of "and friend" captions. Whereas the picture at right, from the Dior backstage gallery, would have once been captioned, "Kate Hudson and friend," it now simply reads, "Kate Hudson, right." (Oh, is she on the right side? Thanks, we were confused.)

We're afraid to report that this is not an isolated incident: Best as we can tell from the most recent shows, those anonymous souls who would have once been labeled as "and friend" are now not labeled at all. And now, without that little caption, the editors are clearly refusing to acknowledge even the existence of any lesser beings. Which isn't any different than how things normally function, come to think of it — we're just shocked by such depraved honesty. What's next, an abandonment of the air kiss?

Christian Dior Backstage/Front Row [Style.com]
Fall 2006 Ready-to-Wear [Style.com]
Earlier: Today in 'And Friend'