Haute couture: the final act
On the last day of shows at haute couture week in Paris, Jean Paul Gaultier showcased sexy Spanish style, Valentino played it safe, and Josep Font lost his head. Elsewhere, On Aura Tout Vu was a little forgetful, Franck Sorbier launched a new career as a film director, and Elie Saab looked to Japan
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Jean-Paul Gaultier's inspiration was a 'gender-bending matador who's not afraid to show a little skin', according to the Associated Press
Photograph: Jacky Naegelen/Reuters
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His collection had a sexed-up 1930s Spanish feel
Photograph: Jacques Brinon/AP
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AP called it his strongest haute couture collection for several seasons ...
Photograph: Patrick Kovarik/AFP/Getty Images
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Praise which may have gone to his head
Photograph: Jacky Naegelen/Reuters
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Designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli presented their debut collection for Valentino
Photograph: Jacques Brinon/AP
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The Valentino signatures were present and correct (the little suits had their pert collars, the coats had their swinging hems and jaunty bow fastenings, the dresses had their feathers and gems), said Jess Cartner-Morley
Photograph: Francois Guillot/AFP/Getty Images
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But, she concluded, the clothes had all the energy and joie de vivre of a butterfly set in aspic
Photograph: Benoit Tessier/Reuters
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On Aura Tout Vu focused on specs ...
Photograph: Jacky Naegelen/Reuters
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But forgot to cut eyeholes for the models to see out of
Photograph: Patrick Kovarik/AFP/Getty Images
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A similar forgetfulness is on evidence here: the collars and cuffs are present, but the shirt itself is not
Photograph: Patrick Kovarik/AFP/Getty Images
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At least this enormous ring is unforgettable
Photograph: Jacky Naegelen/Reuters
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In a masterful piece of understatement, AP described Josep Font's collection as 'fascinating but not terribly commercial'
Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP
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So giant surrealist hats aren't flying off the shelves at the moment, then?
Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP
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Franck Sorbier showed a film during his show. This still reads: 'Haute couture is not what it used to be'
Photograph: Francois Guillot/AFP/Getty Images
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The show featured just one live model, plus the film
Photograph: Ian Langsdon/EPA
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Elie Saab, beloved of Hollywood A-listers, showed a Japanese-influenced collection
Photograph: Francois Guillot/AFP/Getty Images
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