Highlights from Chanel, McQueen, Louis Vuitton and Valentino

The Chanel show involved a mammoth set, and was staged at the Grand Palais in Paris. Gigantic sea horses, coral and shells, were part of the underwater theme devised by Karl Lagerfeld Photograph: Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters

Supermodel Freja Beha Erichsen walks at the show. Note the pearl belt. Pearls are a key Chanel motif and appeared throughout the collection Photograph: Patrick Kovarik/AFP/Getty Images

Strings of pearls, a look long associated with Coco and the house of Chanel, were at the heart of this collection Photograph: Stephane Cardinale/People Avenue/Corbis

Pearls also featured in the models' slicked back hair. And look at the sandals with their odd low heels. Is that a Chanel-shell riff? Hope so Photograph: Kristy Sparow/Getty Images

Trust us, this is Karl Lagerfeld's 'I'm chuffed, me' face as he surveys the underwater sea set while Florence belts a ditty out, live from a shell, as you do. Immense Photograph: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

The Alexander McQueen show was the first since creative director Sarah Burton had designed the royal wedding dress. Critics have crowned it a hit for the house
Photograph: Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho/WireImage

A model sports a gold veil in a collection Burton said was inspired by Grès, Gaudi and Gaia - the latter another Paris fashion week oceanic reference Photograph: Jacques Brinon/AP

Guardian fashion editor Jess Cartner-Morley on McQueen: 'Extreme beauty was not just a concept here, but a reality. That is what made this show extraordinary: the bringing to life of a dreamlike, fantastical beauty' Photograph: Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho/WireImage

There was a series of fetish-like gimp masks on the catwalk at McQueen this season, which nodded to the label's history
Photograph: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Marc Jacobs went fairground carousel for his Louis Vuitton spring/summer 12 collection and whisked out Kate Moss to close proceedings, though she was minus the cigarette this season Photograph: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Pretty parasols with the house logo appeared in Jacobs' collection. Was this a message to the fashion industry regarding the Dior job rumours? As in, 'Yes, I can do couture prettiness with a hulking posh set, a la Karl at Chanel, don't you know?' Photograph: Patrick Kovarik/AFP/Getty Images

The new Louis Vuitton handbag style for next season. Cue waiting-list hysteria etc Photograph: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

At the Louis Vuitton show in Paris, a massive white cylinder lifted up to reveal a carousel with the models riding horses Photograph: Patrick Kovarik/AFP/Getty Images

Valentino continues its new era at the hands of designers Pier Paolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri. Alexa Chung was front row, in fire engine red as per this ensemble Photograph: Stephane Cardinale/People Avenue/Corbis

This strapless lace dress is part of Valentino's modern twist on the pretty princess look. Chandelier earrings are part of a jewellery trend that started in Milan Photograph: Patrick Kovarik/AFP/Getty Images

This leather and lace black number is likely to be a red carpet hit amongst the new Valentino front row gang: Alexa Chung, Jessica Biel, Ciara etc Photograph: Stephane Cardinale/People Avenue/Corbis

The Valentino finale featured a line up of Heidi hair and lots of super pretty lace Photograph: Benoit Tessier/Reuters

Miuccia Prada's second line Miu Miu was unveiled on the final day of Paris fashion week signalling the end of this round of international shows. The key looks here were upholstery, cloaks, high waists and lace Photograph: Patrick Kovarik/AFP/Getty Images

The Miu Miu hair and makeup was all 'goth fairytale' with a side of intense eye shadow Photograph: Patrick Kovarik/AFP/Getty Images

Vogue's fashion features director Harriet Quick gave her verdict on vogue.co.uk. 'There's always sugar and spice at play at Miu Miu. This was a really hilarious psycho drama. It was Kristen Stewart in Twilight meets Wednesday Addams meets Carrie – real B-movie, teenage vampires' Photograph: Patrick Kovarik/AFP/Getty Images

The Miu Miu finale in Paris. The look is curtains, Heidi, The Sound of Music, haberdasheries, cloaks, velvet bows and red eyeshadow. A. Lot. To. Take. In Photograph: Jacques Brinon/AP