Monochrome but multi-textured

The basic Chanel silhouette - a sharp-shouldered jacket over a slim A-line skirt, sometimes with slender trousers beneath - was embellished with embroidery Photograph: Francois Guillot/AFP/Getty Images

A dress in white percaline cotton, embroidered with pearls and sequins, and trimmed with leaves and flowers each cut separately by hand in the famed Lemarié embroidery atelier - took 800 hours of workmanship to complete Photograph: Francois Guillot/AFP/Getty Images

Delicately folded and embossed petals, feathers and leaves were inspired by children's pop-up books Photograph: Francois Guillot/AFP/Getty Images

Big shoulders are hot right now, and they were out in force at Givenchy Photograph: Jacques Brinon/AP

The Givenchy designer, Riccardo Tisci, also went for a monochrome palette, but clothes had a less structured feel Photograph: Jacques Brinon/AP

And when he ran out of ideas, he just sent the models out with sheets over their heads ... Photograph: Jacques Brinon/AP

Christian Lacroix's background in historical clothing is in evidence here Photograph: Maya Vidon/EPA

We know supersized earrings are on-trend, but this is ridiculous Photograph: Patrick Kovarik/AFP/Getty Images

Finally, a splash of colour (and more outsized accessories) from Lacroix Photograph: Patrick Kovarik/AFP/Getty Images

The Big Three (Chanel, Lacroix and Givenchy) dominated day two, but we liked this orange dress teamed with silver jewellery by Dominique Sirop Photograph: Jacky Naegelen/Reuters

Cathy Pill lowered the tone with this hideous fur jacket, one of several furry creations to feature on her catwalk Photograph: Francois Guillot/AFP/Getty Images