Armani, Givenchy, Chanel Stun in Paris

Hauted couture collections from Chanel, Givenchy, and Armani may be this year's toast of Paris. Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld surprised viewers with his 54th couture collection: "Not one gold button," he told reporters before Tuesday's show. Lagerfeld breathed new life into the brand with a menagerie of color: mint green fabrics, pearl-studded heels, and tailored suits trimmed with shimmering culottes. Despite drama between Armani and Dior (Dior moved the timing of its show, causing Armani to push back an hour and a half) Armani did not disappoint: the Privé collection played well with its celeb-packed front row, which feautred Tina Turner, Anne Hathaway, and Marion Cotillard. The collection channeled a celestial motif, which almost every piece featuring a crescent-shaped moon: silver broaches, buttons, clutches, and even necklaces bore the shape. The show displayed an impressive diversity in its vision: black sequined dresses draped over a shoulder were mixed in with bustier dresses and fitted pencil skirts. A circus theme was at play at Givenchy, where designer Riccardo Tisci sent models down the runway in beaded suits and sheer dresses. Tisci’s 22 looks emanated a sense of dark, edgy foreboding—and went over well with Ciara, Kanye West, and other the A-listers who packed the front row.