Paris haute couture: Chanel and Givenchy - in pictures

Chanel's shows are often huge and oppulent affairs, but yesterday's show was a smaller, more intimate collection, staged in an old bank building opposite Coco Chanel's old apartment Photograph: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

With no raised catwalk or high heels, the Chanel show had a more relaxed feel than is the norm at haute couture Photograph: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Explaining his thoughts behind the collection, designer Karl Lagerfeld pronounced "this is the way young women dress nowadays," adding "couture is not for old ladies any more." Photograph: Pascal Le Segretain/WireImage

After the Parisian premiere the Chanel catwalk event is due to be reproduced in several other cities, including Shanghai Photograph: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Slim trousers worn under tunic-length dresses dominated the Chanel show, and were reminiscent of traditional feminine silhouettes from the Middle East and Asia, while also giving a nod to the skinny-jean-and-ballet-pump aesthetic favoured by twentysomething Parisiennes Photograph: Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho/WireImage

In a dramatic departure from his usual uniform of black, Karl Lagerfeld took to the catwalk in a navy suit Photograph: Francois Mori/AP

Givenchy's collection by Italian designer Riccardo Tisci consisted of ten dresses inspired by the traditional Japanese art of butoh Photograph: PR

A rear view of the Givenchy collection at the Hotel d'Evreux in the Place Vendôme Photograph: PR

The motif of the crane featured in the Givenchy collection, and is a symbol of good luck in Japan Photograph: Givenchy/EPA

Exquisitely detailed feathers on a dress by Givenchy. But will we be seeing this hat at Ascot this summer? Photograph: Givenchy/EPA

A very flattering cut from Stephane Rolland Photograph: Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho/WireImage

Now these are earrings, by Italian designer Maurizio Galante Photograph: Ian Langsdon/EPA

Pastel shades and statement jewellery at the Maurizio Galante show Photograph: Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho/WireImage

Feathers fly at Maurizio Galante Photograph: Ian Langsdon/EPA

Goldfinger and Hitchcock's The Birds may have been the inspiration behind this ensemble by Maurizio Galante Photograph: Richard Bord/Getty Images

Models present creations by Lebanese designer Georges Chakra Photograph: Ian Langsdon/EPA

70s styling by French designer Julien Fournie Photograph: Maya Vidon/EPA

Cool green from Julien Fournie, a colour that may flood the red carpet at the Oscars Photograph: Victor Boyko/Getty Images

A dreamlike creation by Lebanese designer Khaled el Masri Photograph: Bernaux Edouard/Empics