Stalagmites And Superman At Chanel

WHO? Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel

IN A NUTSHELL: Always to be relied on to give his audience a generous dose of fashion spectacle, Chanel's Karl Lagerfeld did not disappoint this morning. The Grande Palais was transformed into a cave crammed with kryptonite stalagmites that dwarfed the willowy models and resembled the crystal palace in Superman films like Fortress of Solitude. The theme for the Autumn/Winter show could be loosely termed 'rock'; one part of the punk variety, two parts of the gem variety. This was certainly a collection that glistened, from the models' bejewelled eyebrows, to the uncut crystalline heels and amethyst embellished coats. Even the iconic Chanel tweed jacket got into the spirit of things with plenty of sparkling lurex versions on the runway.

BEG, BORROW OR STEAL: This might sound odd, but we became steadily more obsessed with the trousers as the show progressed. Slim cigarette in style, finishing an inch of two above the ankle.

They were worn with everything; dresses, coats, blouses, sheer maxi skirts - and they perfectly summed up this cropped silhouette that has been springing up across the fashion weeks. The faceted jackets and coats also get our vote if you're in the market for statement outerwear.

F-ROW: Alicia Keys, Katy Perry, Leigh Lezark, Poppy Delevingne, Kanye, Anna Wintour, - oh and did we mention Miranda Kerr was strutting her stuff?

VERDICT: Given the Superman-worthy setting, it's hard not to imagine that this was Karl making reference to himself as fashion's own Superman. That might be a bit full on, but he did demonstrate his ability to keep his leather gloved fingers on the style pulse. The show served to underscore several trends that have been gathering pace over the recent fashion week marathon, from huge hunch shouldered coats to the dominance of the patterned cigarette trouser, to the square sculpted heel to the (literal) jewel tones. Our only criticism? The small boy being led around the runway clutching a Chanel bag. What was his purpose? Where was he going? We were and remain baffled. Answers on a postcard please.