Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

From evening gowns to feathered bras, the best of Paris FW!

Last updated on: July 10, 2013 22:09 IST
A model walks the runway during the Elie Saab show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2013-2014 at Palais Brongniart on July 3, 2013 in Paris, France

We bring you the most memorable runway moments from some of the biggest names in fashion.

The Haute Couture segment of Paris Fashion Week is one of the most important industry events internationally and sees fashionistas from across the globe descend on the City of Lights in droves.

Held this year from June 30 to July 5, showings by the likes of Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier and Giambattista Valli saw designerwear take to the ramp at locations ranging from the Grand Palais to the Theatre National de Chaillot.

In the following pages, we bring you the best creations -- from the best in the business.

We start off with the red carpet musings of Lebanese designer Elie Saab, sure to find plenty of takers.

Known to dress A-listers and royalty, Saab's new collection of breathtaking stunners incorporated plenty of his signature touches -- sequinned glamour, sheer detailing and deep, passionate hues like this emerald green number.

From evening gowns to feathered bras, the best of Paris FW!

Last updated on: July 10, 2013 22:09 IST
A model walks the runway during the Elie Saab show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2013-2014 at Palais Brongniart on July 3, 2013 in Paris, France

Next we see a one-sided deep blue reverie with exquisite embroidery strategically embellishing the bodice.

From evening gowns to feathered bras, the best of Paris FW!

Last updated on: July 10, 2013 22:09 IST
A model walks the runway during the Elie Saab show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2013-2014 at Palais Brongniart on July 3, 2013 in Paris, France

Ravishing red comes into focus with yet another of Saab's sweeping sartorial beauties.

From evening gowns to feathered bras, the best of Paris FW!

Last updated on: July 10, 2013 22:09 IST
A model walks the runway during the On Aura Tout Vu show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2013-2014 on July 1, 2013 in Paris, France

Fashion house On Aura Tout Vu, founded by designers Andre de sa Pessoa, Livia Stoianova, and Yassen Samouilov, showcased the trio's latest line drawing inspiration from and embellished with Plexiglas crystals.

From evening gowns to feathered bras, the best of Paris FW!

Last updated on: July 10, 2013 22:09 IST
A model walks the runway during the On Aura Tout Vu show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2013-2014 on July 1, 2013 in Paris, France

Despite the strange acrylic crystal detailing and OTT matching accessories, On Aura Tout Vu's designs, like this encrusted top and matching briefs, were surprisingly wearable.

From evening gowns to feathered bras, the best of Paris FW!

Last updated on: July 10, 2013 22:09 IST
A model walks the runway during the Giorgio Armani Prive show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2013-2014 at Theatre National de Chaillot on July 2, 2013 in Paris, France

Appropriately entitled 'Nude', the new Armani Prive ensembles incorporated both flesh-tinted hues and plenty of skin to drive home the theme.

Light, airy and shimmering eveningwear glided onto the ramp in a reverie of nude, oyster and pearl tones.

From evening gowns to feathered bras, the best of Paris FW!

Last updated on: July 10, 2013 22:09 IST
A model walks the runway during the Giorgio Armani Prive show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2013-2014 at Theatre National de Chaillot on July 2, 2013 in Paris, France

Some of the ethereal numbers, like this bow-tied beauty, were so expertly crafted that it was hard to tell where fabric ended and flesh began.

From evening gowns to feathered bras, the best of Paris FW!

Last updated on: July 10, 2013 22:09 IST
A model walks the runway during the Jean Paul Gaultier show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2013-2014 at 325 Rue Saint Martin on July 3, 2013 in Paris, France

Flamboyant French couturier Jean Paul Gaultier's garments were influenced by feline funk -- with the female panther as muse, he showcased innovative ways to wear animal prints and add a bit of catty extravagance to fashion.

From evening gowns to feathered bras, the best of Paris FW!

Last updated on: July 10, 2013 22:09 IST
A model walks the runway during the Jean Paul Gaultier show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2013-2014 at 325 Rue Saint Martin on July 3, 2013 in Paris, France

Another of Gaultier's eye-catching outfits with glittering touches billows out onto the runway.

From evening gowns to feathered bras, the best of Paris FW!

Last updated on: July 10, 2013 22:09 IST
Nabilla Benattia walks the runway during the Jean Paul Gaultier show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2013-2014 at 325 Rue Saint Martin on July 3, 2013 in Paris, France

Model and French TV personality Nabilla Benattia donned the showstopper, a black and animal print mixture that featured a prominent feathered bra.

From evening gowns to feathered bras, the best of Paris FW!

Last updated on: July 10, 2013 22:09 IST
A model walks the runway during the Giambattista Valli show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2013-2014 at Grand Palais on July 1, 2013 in Paris, France

A pale palette and delicate floral appliques were the mainstay of Giambattista Valli's latest feminine fashions.

From evening gowns to feathered bras, the best of Paris FW!

Last updated on: July 10, 2013 22:09 IST
A model walks the runway during the Giambattista Valli show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2013-2014 at Grand Palais on July 1, 2013 in Paris, France

This transparent gown was one of very few Valli designs that featured a spritely hint of colour.

From evening gowns to feathered bras, the best of Paris FW!

Last updated on: July 10, 2013 22:09 IST
A model at the Franck Sorbier show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2013-2014 at Hotel De Bezenval on July 3, 2013 in Paris, France

In a throwback to the middle ages, Parisian designer Franck Sorbier's showing, held on the lawns of the Hotel De Bezenval, featured plenty of high-necked gowns with trains, silk jackets and lace jackets and headgear.

From evening gowns to feathered bras, the best of Paris FW!

Last updated on: July 10, 2013 22:09 IST
A model at the Franck Sorbier show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2013-2014 at Hotel De Bezenval on July 3, 2013 in Paris, France

The medieval silhouettes were a culmination of the designer's fascination with portraits from that era.

From evening gowns to feathered bras, the best of Paris FW!

Last updated on: July 10, 2013 22:09 IST
A model walks the runway during the Rami Al Ali show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2013-2014 on July 1, 2013 in Paris, France

Syrian-born couturier Rami Al Ali's designs were sophisticated and urbane, featuring structured designs ranging from eveningwear to chic separates like this blouse and fitted pants.

From evening gowns to feathered bras, the best of Paris FW!

Last updated on: July 10, 2013 22:09 IST
A model walks the runway during the Rami Al Ali show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2013-2014 on July 1, 2013 in Paris, France

This sweeping number was the very picture of elegance.

Al Ali said the line was inspired by the symbolist painter Gustav Klimt, whose works center around the female form.

From evening gowns to feathered bras, the best of Paris FW!

Last updated on: July 10, 2013 22:09 IST
A model walks the runway during the Alexis Mabille show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2013-2014 at Hotel d' Evreux on July 1, 2013 in Paris, France

Also inspired by art was French designer Alexis Mabille, whose ensembles drew from 19th century Italian master Giovanni Boldini's paintings of society figures.

From evening gowns to feathered bras, the best of Paris FW!

Last updated on: July 10, 2013 22:09 IST
A model walks the runway during the Alexis Mabille show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2013-2014 at Hotel d' Evreux on July 1, 2013 in Paris, France

Despite the historic background of the collection, Mabille did add a modern element to some garments like this satin cocktail.

From evening gowns to feathered bras, the best of Paris FW!

Last updated on: July 10, 2013 22:09 IST
A model walks the runway during the Alexis Mabille show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2013-2014 at Hotel d' Evreux on July 1, 2013 in Paris, France

Fitted pantsuits were on offer too, with little throwbacks to the 19th century like ruffled collars and jackets fastened with satin bows.

From evening gowns to feathered bras, the best of Paris FW!

Last updated on: July 10, 2013 22:09 IST
A model walks the runway during the Valentino show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2013-2014 at Hotel Salomon de Rothschild on July 3, 2013 in Paris, France

Dubbed an "encyclopedic show" by the Daily Mail, Valentino's newest collection truly was an ode to natural and world history, fusing themes like animals, art and literature with exquisite workmanship.

From evening gowns to feathered bras, the best of Paris FW!

Last updated on: July 10, 2013 22:09 IST
A model walks the runway during the Valentino show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2013-2014 at Hotel Salomon de Rothschild on July 3, 2013 in Paris, France

One of the most talked-about designs was this lingerie-style dress in rich black lace.

From evening gowns to feathered bras, the best of Paris FW!

Last updated on: July 10, 2013 22:09 IST
A model walks the runway during Versace show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2013-2014 on June 30, 2013 in Paris, France

Also heavy-handed with lingerie influence was the Versace line that officially opened Paris Fashion Week (for more photographs, click here).

Inspired by the iconic glamour of the black-and-white era in movie history, the outfits revealed quite a lot of skin and were not for the faint-hearted.

From evening gowns to feathered bras, the best of Paris FW!

Last updated on: July 10, 2013 22:09 IST
A model walks the runway during Versace show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2013-2014 on June 30, 2013 in Paris, France

There were, however, a few key pieces like this LBD that rated highly in terms of both wearability and cutting-edge fashion.

From evening gowns to feathered bras, the best of Paris FW!

Last updated on: July 10, 2013 22:09 IST
A model walks the runway during the Christian Dior show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2013-2014 at Hotel Des Invalides on July 1, 2013 in Paris, France

And finally we come to the Christian Dior showing, where the designs were inspired by world fashion, ranging from sophisticated jackets and skirts to tent dresses and tribal prints.

From evening gowns to feathered bras, the best of Paris FW!

Last updated on: July 10, 2013 22:09 IST
A model walks the runway during the Christian Dior show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2013-2014 at Hotel Des Invalides on July 1, 2013 in Paris, France

Showing off the diversity of the collection, electric stripes on a tube dress are a marked departure from the rather corporate-chic skirt and jacket on the previous page.