Haute couture: Valentino – in pictures

Certain embroidered dresses in the Valentino haute couture collection reportedly took between 850 to 1,200 hours to make Photograph: Dominique Charriau/WireImage

Valentino's finale: a good chance to examine those loose ponytails tied with ribbons and the flicked eye makeup up close Photograph: Alexander Klein/AFP/Getty Images

A floor-length two-piece in Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli's couture collection for Valentino Photograph: Alexander Klein/AFP/Getty Images

An elegant Valentino gown, complete with pockets. Imagine Michelle Williams wearing this on the red carpet Photograph: Stephane Reix/EPA

This is one of those fairytale gowns you only see in Paris at haute couture week Photograph: Alexander Klein/AFP/Getty Images

Laura Ashley meets The Virgin Suicides via the 18th century's age of enlightenment at Valentino couture Photograph: Stephane Reix/EPA

This above-the-knee outfit nails the modern princess look that Valentino excels at. Plus, it features a trio of excellent details: a high neckline, lace gloves and flat slippers Photograph: Alexander Klein/AFP/Getty Images

Along with high necklines, this Valentino couture collection also featured outfits finished with large but delicate bows Photograph: Pascal Le Segretain/WireImage

A close-up view of that painstaking embroidery Photograph: Stephane Reix/EPA