FAMOUS FACES ABOUND AT THE HAUTE COUTURE SHOWS IN PARIS

July 9, 2001Jul 9, 2001, 11:00 PM GMT+1

With the new haute couture season in full swing on the Paris catwalks, the French capital has become a honeypot for well-heeled celebrities gathering to pass judgment on the most decadent designer creations.

The autumn/winter 2001-2002 collections have arrived, offering us the ultimate expression of art in fashion and a sneak peek at what the world's most glamorous women will be wearing this year.

The one-of-a-kind handmade creations on display are tailored to the client and often cost tens of thousands of dollars. They are modelled during extravagantly theatrical shows geared toward an extremely select audience - there are no more than 300 regular clients worldwide, and to have a reserved seat in the front row of one of the exclusive Paris shows is a privilege extended to very few.

The list of celebrities filling those coveted seats at this year’s event is as diverse as it is glamorous, with Marie-Chantal of Greece, Bridget Jones actress Renee Zellweger, model Ines Sastre, Jemima Khan, and actress Salma Hayek all viewing the latest offerings. Elegant actress Catherine Deneuve, a faithful devotee of Yves Saint Laurent, also occupied a seat up front.

Star power was particularly high at the Versace show, where supermodel Naomi Campbell, American Beauty star Kevin Spacey, actor Rupert Everett and rapper Puff Daddy all occupied the front row, a not-surprising turnout for designer Donatella Versace, who's a celebrity favourite. Naomi, seen making the rounds escorted by Kevin Spacey, wore a spectacular minidress and a diamond tiara. A few metres away Puff Daddy, in a serious pinstriped suit, sat with model Emma Heming, who was also his companion earlier this year at the Monte Carlo Grand Prix.

“Glamour, colour, fun,” said Donatella of her latest collection, which was presented on a catwalk with 15,000 pink roses encased in glass underneath.

One of the most awaited shows this year was the house of Givenchy’s debut collection from Julien MacDonald, who came to the label after edgy designer Alexander McQueen left to join the Gucci Group. Among the other couturiers featured at the Paris shows are Chanel, Jean Paul Gaultier, Valentino and Dior.

Actress Salma Hayek (right) and Jemima Khan were two of the many famous faces at the exclusive haute couture shows in Paris

Elegant actress Catherine Deneuve, a faithful devotee of Yves Saint Laurent, looks on with her daughter Chiara Mastroianni

Naomi Campbell and Kevin Spacey occupied front row seats at the Versace show

Puff Daddy sat alongside the model who was also his companion earlier this year at the Monte Carlo Grand Prix

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