Paris wrapped itself in romance as the week-long fashion extravanganza came to a close with celebrity favourite Elie Saab offering a predictably red carpet-friendly collection of fairytale couture gowns.
Over at Givenchy, Riccardo Tisci was showing an equally romantic Grecian-inspired line, and only Armani broke ranks with an usually vibrant, punk-inspired collection that could have been modelled on David Bowie in his Ziggy Stardust phase.
Showing why his creations are worn by the likes of Halle Berry and Queen Rania of Jordan, Lebanese maestro Elie presented glittering creations perfect for A-listers looking for something extra special for the next awards season. His chic, daringly revealing designs featured luxury fabrics such as satin, lace and chiffon embroidered like jewels over soft hues of silver, dove grey and white.
Across town the former enfant terrible of fashion Jean-Paul Gaultier was busy debunking royal mythologies of the past. Revisiting the cross-gender motif that made his name, the Frenchman sent out female models dressed as Indian maharajas in turbans made of crocodile skins and Plantaganet princes wearing crowns woven from hair.
One of the highlights was Lily Cole stepping out in a dark blue velvet, epaulette-shouldered coat with multi-coloured flowers embroidered on the hem. "Sublime," was the verdict of French movie icon Catherine Deneuve.
With the haute couture shows over the fashion set is already on the move again, heading for Rome and a 45th anniversary party for Valentino this weekend. Before they left there was one last must-attend bash to be taken in however - a soiree at Karl Lagerfeld's lavish Parisian home. There, a debonair Jude Law caught up with supermodel Claudia Schiffer, the star of a new advertising campaign for Dom Perignon shot by the German couturier.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
