14 must-see looks from the Paris couture shows

If there's a time to be extravagant, it’s designing or presenting a couture collection. The more ornate, over-the-top and detailed, the better. 

Karl Lagerfeld is a master of excess. At Fendi, he made cocoon coats and sheer dresses with floral appliqués out of tiny pieces of shaved mink that had been embroidered to stick together, a true feat even for a design house known for a legendary fur couturier.  

And who wouldn't love this tropical bag?

Lagerfeld did it again with Chanel — importing nearly a whole replica of the Eiffel Tower for the set.

Classic silhouettes were exaggerated, feathers jutted out of shoulders seams and models wore boater hats — like Coco’s! — in black or matching patterns. The makeup game was also fantastical —  with fill glittering rainbows above the model’s eyelids.

Then there’s John Galliano at Maison Margiela, who gave his models the appearance of not having had time enough to rinse the shampoo out of their hair. Talk about glam on the go.

Viktor & Rolf  debuted new “mascots,” which looked ready to cheer on a high school design club in the state championship. But hey, they’re memorable!

Jean Paul Gaultier showed cropped puffer jackets over blazers and long dresses, as well as beanies and giant fur hats, and we’re not mad about it.

Hats are certainly trending —Giorgio Armani also showed black toppers in the form of pointed caps with small blusher veils.

We’ll likely see some of the gowns on upcoming red carpets. But which starlets will be bold enough to wear the headpieces? 

Valentino was a drapey-dress daydream come to life. There were sheer versions, and pleated versions, embroidered options and monochrome options. Who even needs to go on holiday to Italy with a closet full of breezy gowns?

And this lion handbag?

And if Valentino was a daydream, Dior was a chic mystery-thriller, featuring female spies in belted tweed coats and trench dresses galore.  

See more looks from the shows in the gallery below.