MacPherson on the catwalk at Louis Vuitton, Cole at Hermès, Elie Saab and Cerrutti. photos: Getty Images, AFP/Getty Images, Getty Images, PA
The flurry and excitement of Paris Fashion Week is finally coming to an end. And thanks to Hermès and Louis Vuitton yesterday, we'll be dreaming of leather catsuits and bodice-revealing '50s dresses. Here are some of our favourite moments from PFW's final day. Au revoir, Paris!
Model moment: Looking at Louis Vuitton's show notes, which announced "And God Created Woman," it was apparent what designer Marc Jacobs was thinking for autumn: let's celebrate those bosoms and curves. Echoing Prada's ethos this season, Jacobs drew inspiration from Brigitte Bardot and the '50s. Jacobs' super feminine collection of wasp-waisted, cleavage-enhancing dresses was worn by curvier models like Laetitia Casta, Bar Rafaeli, Adriana Lima and Karolina Kurkova, but the highlight of the show came when the original Body herself, Elle MacPherson, emerged looking radiant in a strapless evening dress. Another highlight of the show was the many incarnations of the iconic Speedy bag, which comes covered in sequins, fox fur and lace for autumn. Front rowers included Natalia Vodianova, Pixie Geldof, Alexa Chung, Julia Restoin-Roitfeld, Margherita Missoni, Corinne Bailey Rae and new LV face Daisy Lowe. We also loved the fountain setting, in the courtyard of one of Paris's top buildings.
Secret agent woman: At Jean Paul Gaultier's show for Hermès, model Lily Cole started off the proceedings in a skintight black leather catsuit and matching bowler hat. Fictitious spy Emma Peel, of Avengers fame, had come to life. And leather abounded in Gaultier's playful collection, which embraced Savile Row tailoring and classic Hermès all at once.
Awards show watch: Elie Saab clothed Oscar nominee Anna Kendrick on Sunday night, as well as presenter Rachel McAdams in his latest couture creations, and his RTW show yesterday featured lovely black lace numbers and beaded cocktail looks that are sure to hit the red carpet in no time.
Lords of the dance: At Talbot Runhof's ballet-inspired a/w 2010 collection, the duo decided to make their designs literal by putting them on a ballerina. Lisa-Maree Cullum, prima ballerina of the Bayerisches Staatsballett, who performed a solo in red pointe shoes and a multi-coloured mini dress as she made her way down the runway.
Free love: Miuccia Prada's Miu Miu show was all about sweet and innocent pre-Summer of Love '60s style with chin-scraping collars, floppy bows, oversized pockets and lots of leg on display. The outfits looked perfectly suited to pixie cute front row starlet Christina Ricci, who is in Paris filming a movie.
Shades of Cerrutti: Richard Nicoll is the new designer behind the French label and for his first collection for the brand his vision for daywear included head-to-toe colour combinations in shades like cranberry, teal, navy and pink. We loved the first velvet item, which called to mind the gorgeous evening wear looks in the designer's eponymous collection.