Chanel at Paris Fashion week Spring/Summer 2012 - in pictures

The Grand Palais was transformed in to an all white underwater odyssey for the Chanel SS12 show Photograph: Helen Seamons

The Grand Palais was transformed in to an all white underwater odyssey for the Chanel SS12 show Photograph: Helen Seamons

Fashion desk favourite Freja Beha Erickson opens the show Photograph: Helen Seamons

The iridescent details picked up on the underwater theme Photograph: Helen Seamons

A mermaid's take on the Chanel jacket Photograph: Helen Seamons

There has been a notable lack of swimwear in Paris, but you can't go under the sea with out one. Make sure to wear it Chanel style with strings of pearls Photograph: Helen Seamons

Tweed jackets were worn over pretty print dresses Photograph: Helen Seamons

The classic Chanel pearls featured throughout the collection and were worn studded in to the models 'just been swimming' wet up do's Photograph: Helen Seamons

A key dress silhouette from the collection - chiffon loops mimic those usually see in knitwear Photograph: Helen Seamons

Many of the jackets were cropped in the back with a waist tie, exposing a seam of pearl drops on the spine Photograph: Helen Seamons

Chanel always make the best cocktail dresses Photograph: Helen Seamons

As the models entered through a bubble lined cave, a giant clam shell opened to reveal Florence Welch, looking like a true Venus of our times. She sang for the remainder of the show Photograph: Helen Seamons

Supermodel Stella Tennant closed the show Photograph: Helen Seamons

The models meandered through the seaweed and seahorses around the Grand Palais Photograph: Helen Seamons

Arizona Muse wore tweed with a pearl nose stud, bringing a modern edge to the classic Chanel look Photograph: Helen Seamons