John Galliano shocked the Parisienne catwalk audiences just a few days ago when he sent out a haunting 16th century collection for the men, featuring executioners galore. This time, the designer for Dior continued with his theatrical love of grand gestures, but the playfulness was all in the silhouettes and the fabrics.

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Ball gowns in brilliant yellows and fuchsias were lavishly embellished with Klimt-inspired gold embroideries... Image©Rex Features ...and exquisite cocktail dresses came in a dazzling array of turquoises, royal blues and papal purples. Image©Rex Features Galliano's collection was a glowing tribute to haute couture craftsmanship, where the gowns are made to measure, with much of the work done by hand. Prices, only whispered at, were said to start at about £40,000 for an evening dress. Image©Rex Features Christian Lacroix pulled off an exuberant tour de force with his summer haute couture collection, which was a riot of colour, brimming with gowns in which to get noticed. Image©Rex Features Sumptuously embroidered black Italian lace, mixed with soft satin and colourful tights, created a collection that was magical and daring. Image©Rex Features "An angel passing by" was the theme of Lacroix's show, which saw the fashion house at its colourful best with fabulous lilacs, wickedly daring shoes and controversial silhouettes. Image©Rex Features Playful to the last, the signature style of Lacroix is unmistakable. Image©Rex Features Over at Givenchy, the mood was decidedly more tame. The new creative director of the house, Riccardo Tisci (who follows in the footsteps of Julien Macdonald, Alexander McQueen and John Galliano) was inspired by the backstage world of ballet. Image©Rex Features With girly silhouettes featuring bejewelled creations with stiff hems, nipped in waists and legs wrapped in exquisite ribbons, Givenchy's collection was tightly tailored. Image©Rex Features Space-age wrap coats and slinky white leggings brought a glamorous 1970s feel to the collection. Image©Rex Features And gravity-defying dresses beautifully created with layers of ruffles above the knee looked spectacular. Image©Rex Features Couture is often as impractical as it is extravagant, but Anne Valerie Hash found away to make it both opulent and wearable in her collection. Image©Rex Features And with a twist in her easy-to-wear trouser suits, Hash created turn-ups that were almost up to the shins. Image©Rex Features Elegantly French: pretty buttoned blouses were teamed with tulip pencil skirts to create a fashionably Parisienne summer look. Image©Rex Features And finally, floor-length gowns with lashings of tulle looked sexy, daring and beautiful. www.google.co.uk