In a busy 24 hours in Paris, three designers showed contrasting visions of female beauty and authority, ranging from a ballet-infused Valentino, to a Vienna-inflected Akris, to an English-laced Elie Saab.  

Before the tomb of Napoleon, Balenciaga designer Demna staged a powerful show Sunday morning doing what he does best, dressing his friends and colleagues.

Diverse and alternative proposals contemplated the resounding expression of feminine strength: from Cecilie Bahnsen's bucolic silhouettes to Pressiat's glamorous and dark style, and finally to Litkovska's mastery of tailoring.

They played David Bowie’s Heroes at the finale of Alexander McQueen, summing up the reign of Sarah Burton at the house, in her final show for the brand.

Fashion week loves nothing more than a debut, and the industry witnessed an impressive one on Saturday morning when Louis Trotter showed her first collection for Carven.

Victoria Beckham staged her latest show inside a fashion temple – Karl Lagerfeld’s old home in Saint Germain – and the result was the British designer’s best collection to date.

France’s culture ministry honored Giambattista Valli Friday night by awarding the Italian designer with the Chevalier des Arts et Lettres. He returned the compliment with a first-rate runway show in Paris. 

Christian Cowan showed in Paris for the first time last night at the American Cathedral. Party girl aesthetic was au rendez-vous, and the show included a Sam Smith performance and a giant faux fur ball worn as a dress. 

A real sense of event at Schiaparelli, as the brand staged its latest collection on Thursday night inside the beautiful Italian embassy on rue de Varenne in Paris.

All sorts of excitement outside Givenchy’s show, as thousands of K Pop fans mille around. But a faintly funereal air inside, with lots of black clothes ideal for a mortuary.

Rabanne, without the Paco, staged its latest collection amid much excitement Thursday morning at Palais de Tokyo, as the street photographers had a mad feeding frenzy both on the way in and out.

Olivier Rousteing continues to work with Balmain’s heritage, including iconic motifs from the 1940s and 50s, like polka dots and above all roses.

Another battered building in mid-renovation as a location for Dries Van Noten and a truly excellent collection whose strength centered on the subtle art of juxtaposition. 

When it comes to generating cool, few designers are more adept than Francesco Risso of Marni. And for the brand’s Paris debut, his location was Karl Lagerfeld’s old apartment on rue de l’Université.

Maria Grazia Chiuri’s latest collection for the house of Dior was also her latest meditation on the relationship between feminism, fashion and female rebellion.

Hang it all, I know you are not meant to like Pierre Cardin anymore, but the brand’s revival show under the late designer’s nephew does have its moments.