Couture week is an unashamed celebration of fashion at it’s most theatrical. It seems appropriate, then, that the Paris runways have been awash with breath-taking styles that could have tip-toed straight from the pages of one of our favourite fairy tales.
All eyes were on Dior, as the legendary fashion house presented its first collection since the departure of creative director Raf Simons last October, while Karl Lagerfeld once again dreamed up a jaw-dropping backdrop for his first collection of 'eco-couture,' presented in front of a recyclable, Scandi-style wooden lodge. Deftly proving that being eco-friendly doesn't have to mean sacrificing your style, models (including Gigi and Bella Hadid making a sisterly Chanel couture debut) wore gowns embellished with raffia and cork, which looked just as luxurious as those fashioned from more typically 'haute' materials.
From exquisitely layered tulle gowns at Giambattista Valli to the drama of Chanel and the glamour of Versace, couture week is the ultimate in fashion escapism. So while – let’s face it – most of these painstakingly detailed creations probably cost more than your annual salary (sob), there’s no harm in cooing over dresses fit for a princess. Start making your predictions now – we’re pretty sure you’ll be spotting ‘Best Actress’ hopefuls donning some of these styles on the red carpet as awards season plays out.
Couture Week 2016: Best Fairytale Dresses
1 of 10giorgio armani lilac couture dress
Fairytale meets futuristic in this shimmering dream of an embellished dress
2 of 10chanel couture beaded dress
The detailing on Chanel's duck-egg blue gown is beyond exquisite, as is the subtly Twenties-referencing shape
3 of 10christian dior couture dress
A more modern take on princess dressing at Christian Dior - the first show since the dramatic departure of creative director Raf Simons.
4 of 10giambattista valli red couture dress
Layer upon layer of feather light tulle is Valli's signature style. And when it looks this good, why change?
5 of 10floral ralph and russo gown
Dramatic sheer fabric and some, ahem, strategically placed floral embellishment. Top marks.
6 of 10lilac armani couture dress
Dress. Of. Dreams. No question.
7 of 10embellished floral giambattista valli dress
This delicately embellished waterfall gown is more Park Avenue princess than Disney heroine: note the Blair Waldorf-esque headband.
8 of 10ralph and russo couture pink dress
We’ll be very surprised indeed if this pink Ralph & Russo confection doesn’t make an appearance on the red carpet at the Oscars.
9 of 10chanel gigi hadid cape
Every princess needs a cloak to wear over her Chanel bouclé, as Gigi well knows.
10 of 10rosie huntington whiteley blue dress versace couture
Of course Rosie Huntington Whiteley managed to steal the show at Versace. Her cornflower blue dress is giving us serious ‘modern Cinderella’ vibes.