Couture Fashion Week AW16 - Everything you need to see from haute couture fashion week
The Parisian Haute Couture shows have officially begun, and this is the season that couture got cool. If you haven't caught up on all the changes afoot at this storied fashion week, you need to read our couture spring/summer 2016 cheat sheet.
From exciting guest appearances from contemporary labels such as Vetements and Giles, to a model casting of the most sought-after faces; we're only two days in and we?ve already spotted Bella Hadid, Lineisy Montero and Taylor Hill.
Alongside the catwalks, couture is renowned for its indefatigably fabulous attendees. The chic front row posse who perch, poised and ready, fanning themselves languidly with couture programmes. The new line up of rookie designers are sure to come with a motley crew of supporters in tow, each of them just as fresh to couture week etiquette but primed to support their beloved brands.
From the classic, exquisite gowns, to all the buzzy new names, we've pulled together a beautiful photo diary of the top moments from couture fashion week. Stay tuned as we'll be updating it daily throughout the shows. And don't forget to catch up on last season's most stunning shows, too.
Scroll on to see more decadent dresses and backstage moments
Joan Smalls, Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci AW16
First up, Joan Smalls in Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci AW16.
Bella Hadid, Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci AW16
Bella Hadid, Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci AW16
Kendall Jenner, Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci AW16
Kendall Jenner, Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci AW16
Fendi Haute Couture AW16
Fendi Haute Couture AW16
Giles Deacon Haute Couture AW16
Giles Deacon Haute Couture AW16
Giles Deacon Haute Couture AW16
Giles Deacon Haute Couture AW16
Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture AW16
Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture AW16
Chanel, Paris Couture Fashon Week July 2016
A closer look at Edie Campbell on the catwalk during the Chanel collection during Paris Couture Fashion Week AW16
Chanel, Paris Couture Fashon Week July 2016
A closer look at the Chanel collection during Paris Couture Fashion Week AW16
Bella Hadid
Bella Hadid steps out in a Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci dress during the Paris Couture Fashion Week shows
Alexis Mabille, Paris Couture Fashon Week July 2016
The Alexis Mabille collection during Paris Couture Fashion Week AW16
Miroslava Duma
Miroslava Duma in a luxurious leather top during Paris Couture Fashion Week AW16
Cate Blanchett
Cate Blanchett during Paris Couture Fashion Week AW16
Irina Shayk
Irina Shayk during Paris Couture Fashion Week AW16
Clemence Poesy
Clemence Poesy during Paris Couture Fashion Week AW16
Giorgio Armani Privé, Paris Couture Fashon Week July 2016
A closer look at the Giorgio Armani Privé collection during Paris Couture Fashion Week AW16
Giorgio Armani Privé, Paris Couture Fashon Week July 2016
A closer look at the Giorgio Armani Privé collection during Paris Couture Fashion Week AW16
Giorgio Armani Privé, Paris Couture Fashon Week July 2016
A closer look at the Giorgio Armani Privé collection during Paris Couture Fashion Week AW16
Schiaparelli arrivals, Paris Couture Fashion Week July 2016
Olivia Palermo arrives for the Schiaparelli show during Paris Couture Fashion Week July 2016
Ralph Russo arrivals, Paris Couture Fashion Week July 2016
Adriana Lima arriving for the Ralph Russo show during Paris Couture Fashion Week July 2016
Ralph Russo arrivals, Paris Couture Fashion Week July 2016
Jourdan Dunn arriving for the Ralph Russo show during Paris Couture Fashion Week July 2016
Giambattista Valli arrivals, Paris Couture Fashion Week July 2016
Celine Dion at Giambattista Valli during Paris Couture Fashion Week July 2016
Schiaparelli, Paris Couture Fashion Week July 2016
The Schiaparelli show was a riot of colour and beautiful gowns
Versace Backstage, Paris Couture Fashion Week July 2016
First up, while the dresses took a demure turn at Versace this season, Donatella went all out on her make up brief. The sparkling lips and statement eye make-up made a dramatic statement.
Vetements, Paris Couture Fashion Week July 2016
Instead of presenting its SS17 ready-to-wear show in September as is customary, Vetements ripped up the rule book and moved its collection earlier to show in the middle of the Haute Couture shows. Collaborating with a gamechanging 18 brands, this is the Vetements take on Juicy Couture.
As the show notes explained: 'Vetements unsubscribes to the difficult production cycle that has been forced on many designers.' Three cheers for going to the beat of their own drum.
Versace, Paris Couture Fashion Week July 2016
On Sunday evening Bella Hadid, Irina Shayk and Karen Elson walked in the Atelier Versace show.
Versace, Paris Couture Fashion Week July 2016
While there was the mandatory quota of thigh-slashing and cleavage-baring gowns, this Versace collection was decidedly more demure than usual.
Soko, Versace, Paris Couture Fashion Week July 2016
Singer-song writer and Gucci darling, Soko arrived at the Miu Miu presentation rocking a cool vintage-goth look.
Guo Pei, Paris Couture Fashion Week July 2016
It was all about the detail at the ornate Guo Pei show on Sunday.
Miu Miu party, Paris Couture Fashion Week 2016
Kate Moss and fashion designer Giles Deacon hit the decks and got the party started at the Miu Miu party on Sunday night.
Backstage at Versace, Paris Couture Fashion Week 2016
Lineisy Montero was the 'one-to-watch' last year, after making her debut walking for Prada. Casual. Now she's so in demand she's reached near 'impossible-to-book' fame.
Atelier Versace front row, Paris Couture Fashion Week 2016
Naomi Campbell, Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Garner kept each other entertained as they waited for the Atelier Versace show to start. Bradley was there to see his girlfriend Irina Shayk, he's usually more of a festival man than a front row regular.
Alberta Ferretti Limited Edition, Paris Couture Fashion Week 2016
Alberta Ferretti showed her über-feminine 'Limited Edition' demi-couture collection for the first time during couture week this season.
Donatella Versace, Paris Couture Fashion Week 2016
Donatella Versace has been on a roll over the past few months; from her headline-grabbing AW16 campaign, to her glamorous new direction for her Atelier Versace collection this season. The deisgner looked on proudly during the final walk.
The Lan Yu show, Paris Couture Fashion Week 2016
The Lan Yu show was the epitome of luxury with it's dreamy collection of intricately embellished, haute couture gowns.
The Francesco Scognamiglio show, Paris Couture Fashion Week 2016
The setting and attitude may have been Parisian, but much of the rebel spirit - and rich embroidery - of Francesco Scognamiglio's Parisean couture debut belonged to his Italian heartland. Couture is a hotbed of artistic interpretations of fashion and Scognamiglio's collection had unrestrained creativity at it's core.
Bella Hadid at Atelier Versace, Paris Couture Fashion Week 2016
Bella gave us flashbacks of 'that' Cannes red carpet dress at Atelier Versace.
Bella Hadid backstage at Atelier Versace, Paris Couture Fashion Week 2016Couture Fashion Week
Bella was in high spirts back stage at Atelier Versace. It's all about the customisation this season.
Bella Hadid backstage at Atelier Versace, Paris Couture Fashion Week 2016Couture Fashion Week
Okay, last Bella pic, we promise. Snapped taking a kiss-blowing selfie backstage, we wonder if it was for her sister Gigi or BF The Weeknd?
