Paris haute couture: Christian Dior and Giorgio Armani - in pictures
Backstage preparations for the Christian Dior show, which featured imperious paper eyebrows and immaculate red lips Photograph: Eric Ryan/Getty ImagesBritish designer John Galliano is famous for his spectacular fashion and desire to shock, but this collection was primarily about the elegance of DiorPhotograph: Gouhier Nicolas/EmpicsInspiration for the Dior show came from René Gruau, the fashion illustrator who brought the ideas of Christian Dior himself to life Photograph: Eric Ryan/Getty Images
Graceful gloved hands featured heavily in Grau's illustrations, and on the Dior catwalkPhotograph: Maya Vidon/EPAHaute couture dresses are handmade in Paris, with no time and expense spared, either by the designer or by the teams of skilled craftspeople who work in the ateliersPhotograph: Dominique Charriau/WireImageDior's blockbuster shows had been scaled back to in-house presentations in recent years, but this year's spring/summer show was staged in an 800-seat marquee in the grounds of the Musée RodinPhotograph: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty ImagesA feminine silhouette at DiorPhotograph: Dominique Charriau/WireImageA striking but not entirely practical outfit by DiorPhotograph: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty ImagesA feline mask and gloves - the perfect cat burglar outfit by DiorPhotograph: Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho/WireImageDramatic red and black staging at the Christian Dior show Photograph: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty ImagesJohn Galliano, known for his outlandish catwalk outfits, walks the runway in a somewhat subdued numberPhotograph: Eric Ryan/Getty ImagesThe space-age inspired Armani Privé show took place at the aptly named Espace Vendome in ParisPhotograph: Tony Barson/WireImageSculpted modernist gowns and chunky jewels featured in Giorgio Armani's collection Photograph: Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho/WireImageBritish milliner Philip Treacy created hats reminiscent of flying saucers for the Armani Privé collection Photograph: Benoit Tessier/ReutersIridescent metallic fabrics and futuristic cuts at Armani Privé Photograph: Bertrand Guay/AFP/Getty ImagesGiorgio Armani walks the runway during the Armani Privé show Photograph: Eric Ryan/Getty ImagesA model presents a creation by Lebanese designer Georges Hobeika Photograph: Ian Langsdon/EPAA creation by Jan Taminiau, a Dutch designer who has dressed Princess Maxima of the Netherlands, presumably in a slightly less outlandish outfitPhotograph: Richard Bord/Getty ImagesA model presents a creation by French designer Christophe Josse Photograph: Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters70s inspired glamour at the Alexandre Vauthier show Photograph: Richard Bord/Getty Images
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