From January 21 to 25, Paris Couture Fashion Week 2018 held the world transfixed. From Valentino's whimsical designs to Elie Saab's ethereal gowns, these are the collections that left lingering impressions.

1. Christian Dior

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Above Photos by Jason Lloyd-Evans

Drawing inspiration from the surrealist movement (stark white molds of body parts hung from the ceiling above a checkerboard floor), and avant-garde artist Leonor Fini, the gowns were also mostly black and white with various graphic lines and patterns to match.

Shadowy masks by Stephen Jones adorned the models' faces while pristinely cut pantsuits—a Dior signature—and streamlined dresses in various tulle and chiffon iterations had guests drooling in their seats.

See also: Asia's Most Stylish: 11 Malaysian Fashionistas To Watch In 2018

2. Elie Saab

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Above Photos by Jason Lloyd-Evans

Leave it to Elie Saab to bring a spark of fairytale romance to couture week. As expected of the ethereal label, feathers, flowers and frill flitted down the runway whether in plunging gowns or long-sleeved numbers all thoroughly glamorous in their own right.

The show’s title—Paris est Une Fête or "Paris is a party"—was wonderfully fitting given its contemporary reimagination of 1920s Paris.

3. Alexandre Vauthier

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Above Photo: Courtesy of Jason Lloyd-Evans

Set amongst cages and neon lights to resemble a London nightclub, Alexandre Vauthier's  collection was a sexy, irreverent take on couture.

The clothes were extreme--extremely wide shoulders on a number of blazer-cum-jumpsuit looks, extremely large bows or baggy trousers and in the case of Bella Hadid's finale look, an extremely short romper with an extremely large jacket, all paired with matrix-like sunglasses in collaboration with Alain Mikli.

4. Givenchy

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Above Photos by Jason Lloyd-Evans

Clare Waight Keller did not disappoint in her haute couture debut for Givenchy. The designer succeeded in her vision to present a collection full of strong, tailored looks with a feminine twist and plenty of sculpted two-piece looks in black with the occasional pop of electric blue.

There were also flowy, ombre gowns reminiscent of her designs during her time as creative director at Chloé. 

5. Jean Paul Gaultier

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Above Photos by Jason Lloyd-Evans

With the Space-Age design legend Pierre Cardin sitting in the front row, it's understandable then that the collection was a tribute to his other-worldly aesthetic. Beyond the stark bowl-cut hairstyles, the clothes themselves featured razor-cut blazers cinched at the waist, dizzying patterns and lots and lots of fringe.

But perhaps the highlight of the show was when Coco Rocha emerged in a matching ensemble with her adorable little girl, posing for the finale. 

6. Ralph & Russo

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Above Photos by Jason Lloyd-Evans

Tamara Ralph and Michael Russo presented another lust-worthy couture collection befitting of their sexy-chic reputation. The duo cited mother-of-pearl details from a furniture museum in Seoul as the inspiration for some jacquard looks and the twinkling Tokyo lights for the sparklier numbers.

We're calling it now—don't be surprised if you see the barely-there naked dress dripping in crystals on an Oscar nominee in February. 

7. Valentino

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Above Photos by Jason Lloyd-Evans

Pierpaolo Piccioli's breath-taking collection for Valentino was the talk of the town. He kept guests at the edge of their seats with look after unexpected look floating down the runway, whether it was a deep-V floral gown or a voluminous ruffled number.

As an homage to the craft, he named every dress after the artisan who had made it. It was, however, the oversized feather hats by Philip Treacy that took Instagram by storm the next day.

See also: 9 Belles Of The Ball Share The Local Designers Behind Their Red Carpet Gowns

This story originally appeared on Singapore Tatler.

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