Feathery extravaganza wraps up Paris fashion shows

Dice Kayek's 2014/2015 haute couture fall-winter collection shown in Paris is modern and poetic. Miguel Medina/AFP

Ralph and Russo, who like to stress the wear ability of their haute couture, singled out Listri's "sense of perspective and devotion to detail" as a key influence on the collection.

Striking forays included multi-layered ruffles spiraled around column dresses and skirts that appeared to float.

In another offering, a metallic silver fishtail gown sparkled with fine pearl and crystal embellishments.

Haute couture newcomer Dice Kayek, meanwhile, was modern and poetic in the Turkish-French designer's debut Winter Garden couture collection.

Models were "part woman, part flower" in a collection designed to look like a garden coming alive.

Pleated organza created the illusion of transparency while mirror effects, pearls and sparkling hand-blown glass created the impression of droplets of rain.

Haute couture is worn by an exclusive elite of the world's richest women due to a level of craftsmanship that can see a single garment costing tens of thousands of dollars.

It exists only in Paris where it is a legally protected appellation, subject to strict criteria such as the amount of work carried out by hand, the limited number of pieces and the size of a house's workforce.

Paris fashion now takes a break before returning with nine days of ready-to-wear collections for spring/summer 2015 at the end of September.

AFP