Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2012-13

Byzantine opulence and splendour worthy of a sultan’s harem greeted guests at Elie Saab’s fashion show on Wednesday, as the Lebanese designer beloved of the Hollywood set presented a fantasy collection spun from embroidered tulle and lace.

Saab, who is known for his red carpet creations, said he was inspired by Constantinople for his autumn/winter 2012-2013 Haute Couture collection, and indeed the gold, shimmer and sparkle overflowed in the pillared Paris reception hall on the Rue Cambon.

Despite a debut in black, Saab opted for warmer hues of champagne, taupe, rose, sky blue and jade for most of the collection, with a special emphasis on shimmering gold. With high necklines and elaborate embroidered bodices, many gowns recalled the finery of an Edwardian era predisposed to hedonism and a fantasy-inspired vision of the Orient.

Versace's Atelier Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2012-2013 Collection

 Nobody does sexy like Donatella does sexy. The Italian fashion house opened the Paris haute couture shows with 26 gowns which seem destined to ensure Versace continues to dominate red ­carpets everywhere. Donatella Versace unveiled her new Atelier Versace Fall/Winter 2012-2013 Collection by kick-starting Paris' haute couture Fashion week on July 1, 2012.

In honour of her late brother, Donatella returned to the Ritz in Paris. The hotel was the location Versace founder Gianni, staged his last ever show before he was murdered in 1997.

Front row faces included actress and former model Milla Jovovich, singer MIA, Vogue's Anna Wintour, Jessica Alba, Elizabeth Banks, Mad Men style maven, Christina Hendricks and Chinese beauty, Fan Bing Bing.

Donatella stated that her haute couture collection was inspired by the imagery of tarot cards and it's immediately obvious when looking at the dreamlike designs. Many of the dresses feature high slits, bold abstract prints, and pastel tones (including plum, chartreuse, sky blue, and raspberry sherbet) that reflect some of the major arcana cards meant to symbolize different aspects of human nature, like the lovers, the star, the moon, the sun, and the empress.