The bold and the beautiful came out to play in the joie de vivre of Paris Fashion Week – with almost as much action off as on the runways.

Vanessa Paradis, Paul McCartney, Thandie Newton, Beth Ditto and Alexa Chung were among those jostling for front row seats at some of the hottest shows in town. Although the catwalks showcased the ready-to-wear designs for autumn/winter, an explosion of shocking ‘depressionista’ style.

Valentino’s scarlet, ruffled, floor-length gown was a thing of great beauty, while Elie Saab, whose printed design worn by Rachel McAdams at the Oscars broke with convention, displayed chiffon Grecian-inspired designs in rich vibrant colours.

Some designs were more summer than winter, including Junko Shimada’s red wool playsuit, the fabulous flowing tailoring at Yves Saint Laurent, the New Romantic decadence of Vivienne Westwood and the bold, juicy colours of Stella McCartney’s much-lauded collection of tactile fabrics.

Emanuel Ungaro also won praise this year after the French fashion house’s ill-fated collaboration last season with Hollywood party girl Lindsay Lohan, who was noticeably absent this year.

The most wintry display came from Chanel’s models wearing yeti boots amid layers of Chewbacca-esque fake fur and winter-white knits against a backdrop of melting icebergs.

No show would be complete without a range of over-the-top, lavish offerings, which this year fell to John Galliano for Dior with a riotous collection inspired by a nomadic theme and the heavy embroidery and unorthodox stylings of Jean Paul Gaultier. Sonia Rykiel’s oversized pom-poms upped the weird and wonderful ante, taken to extremes by Marithe Francois Girbaud, whose models wore what can only be described as sleeping bag chic.

Ah well, c’est la vie.