Balenciaga

"I'm exploring new territory, within the references of the house," said Nicolas Ghesquière before the show. "I've done prints before, but I never went to the flowers." An array of hydrangeas and floral master pieces sauntered down the catwalk. The entire showroom was draped in blossoms and petals, as silhouettes of oversized hourglass figures reflected his vision. Linear tunics were matched with A-line dresses and short shorts. Unlike the organic mold of a flower Ghesquiere’s bodices were rigorous and structured. Metallic hues of mustard yellows, lavenders and silver closed the show as they brought a touch of futuristic elegance to the final garments. “There is no mix-and-match,” he said. “This is a total look, and a radical silhouette.”

The exaggerated forms included few variations, as did the category of gladiator sandals. Evening wear was devoid of prints, as Ghesquiere embraced structured tops and cigarette pants. Deviations included the white mini skirt paired with a dark metallic tee and an iridescent silver top matched with a white thigh skimming skirt. The show came to a close with an aqua green futuristic garb.  

Jean Paul Gaultier

Pirates of the Caribbean proved more than an inspiration to Jean Paul Gaultier. Among the Smokey tobacco haze and mirrors were assortments of garments from across continents, no doubt they were seized in fiery battles. Cowboy leathers, military prints and tobacco seeds were seized from the America’s, the deepest parts of the African jungle and Asia brought khaki jackets and an array of dresses, while coastlines off the Indian Ocean granted luxury cottons and lace. His show was a dramatic blend of cultural ideologies, the military garb, cowboy chic, Parisian sailors, and Indian scarves all blended to create a romantic Victorian period drama.

"It was pirates, people who take little bits from everywhere who take things and mix them together," Gaultier said afterwards. “It was the idea of camouflage and training in the jungle but very romantic, it's military but it's more romantic."

Tulle and organza flared dresses reflected the romance of the era. Flared frocks, sailor stripes and cinched silhouettes embraced the excitement of a quixotic collection. Wedding dresses closed the show as a stream of models sauntered down the runway in white breeches and tulle veils paired with knee length boots and embroidered shawls.

No period drama is complete without a touch of humour. One high heeled shoe was lost in the battles, while another scallywag’s stiletto had fallen off leaving her to totter down the catwalk. And finally one model threw caution to the wind and tossed her sandals, free from any hesitation.