Haute Couture A/W 14-15

If there's a fashion event each year I look forward to more than the annual Met Ball it's the couture fashion weeks in Paris. This week has seen a selection of the world's most prestigious designers present their couture collections for the autumn-winter 14-15 season, and as ever they did not disappoint.

From the models at Versace walking down a fur-lined runway in the Chambre Commerce et Industrie, to walls of orchids courtesy of Raf Simons for Christian Dior at the Rodin Museum, and a catwalk made of bark surrounded by living walls at Valentino in the Hotel Salomon de Rothschild, the catwalks and locations themselves were a sight to behold. The front rows were just as glamorous, with Kristen Stewart unveiling a new cropped hair cut at Chanel, Charlize Theron and Sean Penn reaching power couple status at Dior, and Jennifer Lawrence and Emma Watson fulfilling every fan's dream by posing for the photographers together at Dior.

(GIF SOURCED FROM www.elle.com)

The attention to detail and craftsmanship on display exceeded all expectations and showcased fashion at it's very best. Fashion is first and foremost an art form, and haute couture is an undoubtedly stunning reminder of that.

As to be expected, Vogue has excellent, comprehensive coverage of the entire week here, and having eagerly poured over all the galleries of looks over the last few days I've highlighted my favourites from a selection of the collections below.

ZIAD GHANEM

(ALL FOLLOWING IMAGES SOURCED FROM www.vogue.co.uk)

ALEXIS MABILLE

 CHRISTIAN DIOR

GIAMBATTISTA VALLI

ULYANA SERGEENKO

ALEXANDRE VAUTHIER

MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA

STEPHANE ROLLAND

ZUHAIR MURAD

ELIE SAAB

For me, nothing in the world beats Elie Saab. He's the king of romantic, fairy tale gowns and his attention to detail is second to none. I've devoted an entire post to an Elie Saab couture collection before and it's taking all the will power in the world not to do it again. I loved each and every one of the looks that were sent down the runway yesterday, so narrowing it down was an absolute nightmare!

My highlights: florals and '50s style full a-line cuts at Giambattista Valli; glittering column dresses at Zuhair Murad; contrasting fabrics of lace, fur and velvet from Alexis Mabille, and the utter genius of Elie Saab. I also love how Chanel brought back flat shoes and stopped with the ridiculous act of putting trainers on a catwalk.

The last few days have fully reminded me why I love fashion and why I pour over reports of global fashion weeks and obsess over red carpet style. It's a form of artistic expression and when taken to the highest level the end products are ingenious creations of exquisite beauty and intricate detail. Admiring them is akin to marvelling over an artists' work in a gallery or becoming submerged in a show at the theatre, and I - for one - could think of nothing better.

Let me know in the comments below or drop me a tweet if there was a collection or particular look you loved or wish I'd have included!