The Chanel show has gone beyond just the occasion of presenting a collection; it's a cultural event that draws a fair share of hard-core fans. Outside the Grand Palais this morning in Paris, it was a surreal scene of Chanel devotees, done up in head-to-toe Chanel outfits, coming out in honor of the iconic house. It was like a costume party in the front, with a whole other kind of scene by the backstage entrance on the side of the Grand Palais, where the celebrity attendees entered — French beauties like Inès de la Fressange and Lou Doillon looked laid-back and classic, while Jennifer Lopez almost caused a photographers' stampede as she entered with boyfriend Casper.

Then, there was the dramatic setting. Nearly full-size wind turbines had been set up inside the glass-domed Grand Palais, with a runway that looked like solar panels, leading us to expect an airy collection with a futuristic vibe — but don't think spaceships; think of a nicer, greener world where we've figured out solar energy and have clean air. The turbines showed up literally via appliqué on dresses and a printed knit. There was also an airiness to the sheer pieces (a huge trend for Spring) and the easy strapless column dresses, while the cropped jackets with big cocoon sleeves definitely took Chanel forward in terms of modern silhouettes. Graphic prints made an appearance, sharp and crisp on sculptural looks like an oversize top and skirt. Another trend playing out for Spring was spotted at Chanel — styling dresses over pants, and here it was also done with color, like blue on purple and pink on violet.

Accessories were a highlight. We got a sneak peek at the jewelry being made yesterday at the studio of Parisian jewelry designer Delphine-Charlotte Parmentier, who has collaborated with Chanel for years, and how exciting it was to see the piles of oversize pearl necklaces on the models. It was classic Chanel, blown up. Wide sun hats featured clear plastic brims and oversize bags that looked like gigantic discs contributed to the natural/futuristic vibe. Finally, the shoes were a winner: two-toned platform sandals that strapped around the ankle and were done in tones of black, white, and silver.

And as for the winning looks? I think it was the simplest ones — the strapless column dresses, some dotted with pearls, others with flowers, and one stunner in black with white trim. The cropped jackets will look great in the pages of the fashion magazines next season, but it's a tough silhouette to wear, while the waist-length jackets, particularly a white cocoon version with black-and-white tweed trim, would look simply perfect with skinny jeans, a tee, and classic pumps.

This year marks 60 years for Chloé, but the French house is still as flirty and free-spirited as it was when Gaby Aghion founded it. The collection was shown under a big, airy white tent with an open roof so we could see the sunshine through the trees of the Tuileries above. It was the perfect setting for a collection that was all about volume, not the heavy, structured kind that weighs you down (or makes your hair stand up) but the kind of volume that makes clothes float and swish. Designer Clare Waight-Keller employed sheer fabrics, mesh, tulle, and big ruffles to make that point and cut slouchy, oversize shorts and pants that won't look great on anyone but will look fantastic on the right person. The ruffles — oversize ones adorning sleeves and hems — didn't feel too girlie because the silhouettes were kept minimal and clean. The color palette helped too — the show opened with all white before introducing ochre, peach, navy, and earthy neutrals. Even the girliest indulgence — floral appliqué on a short swingy skirt and down one leg of a pair of oversize pants — felt cool rather than overwrought. Those who love accessories will adore the metallic ankle-strap heels, which are a sure must have for next Spring, and the newest Amelia bag with beautiful contrasting trim and deco-inspired resin detailing.

There have been a few occasions this week where I've wanted to pinch myself, because Paris is so beautiful and Paris Fashion Week is like a fantasy land. Other times, I wanted to pinch myself because I, again, chose to wear incredibly beautiful shoes that happened to be totally unwearable for distances longer than 30 feet. Quelle horreur! Read on for highlights from my weekend in Paris.

Check out all the pictures from Givenchy's Spring 2013 collection and check back soon for our full review.

Check out all the pictures from Jean Paul Gaultier's Spring 2013 collection and come back soon for our full review.

There are some shows that feel so effortless, so on point, and so simple, you leave feeling light and happy and wishing you had the biggest closet in the world. That was the feeling after leaving Vanessa Bruno's light-as-air and totally pretty Spring 2013 show. Having ended up with a stroke of luck that put me in the front row, I got to witness the soft silk dresses that floated on the models, the way Bruno's sharply tailored jackets were cut to make everyone look 10 times better, and the hugely covetable leather strappy ankle booties that had a fresh gladiator vibe. Vanessa Bruno dances the delicate line between bohemian and polished, and the clothes here always felt put together (I saw at least 10 outfits I would love for my work wardrobe) but with a loose, bohemian spirit. The dresses were gorgeous — particularly the ones with embroidery and eyelet. If I could tell you to invest in anything next season, it would be one of Bruno's fabulous blazers and one of these soft dresses. Some shows are inspiring because they're so innovative, but this one was so inspiring because it was simply so pretty.

Check out all the pictures from Anne Valerie Hash's Spring 2013 collection, and come back soon for our full review.

It seemed the cloudy Paris skies cleared for Lanvin, and on this Friday night at 8PM, L'Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Artes, one of the gazillion gorgeous buildings in Paris a center for classic French art, was lit up against a navy sky and a bright full moon. It was the perfect setting for one of the most fun shows of Paris Fashion Week. Why? Because Alber Elbaz and team know how to make a show feel like a party. The runway, a pretty raw setup of scaffolding, bleacher seats, and a metal raised runway, dominated a gigantic glass-domed, tiled courtyard that featured Greco-Roman statues in each corner of the space. It was an interesting dichotomy of classic and beautiful and industrial. Everything else was cushy — literally the bleachers were covered in cushions, and tuxedo-clad waiters served macarons, tea sandwiches, and champagne in floral-painted glasses. It was a high-energy crowd that included the great Catherine Deneuve and the always chic Rachel Zoe. Now to the show: it opened with a series of black and white tuxedo-inspired looks. It was high glamour, one of the highlights being a heavily-embellished jumpsuit worn by Kristen McMenamy, whose gray, almost white hair fell past her waist. The show closed in jewel tones, with structured apron dresses that tied on the side. There was a distinct Japanese reference, but it was done subtly, via obi belts and kimono-ish shapes. I don't know that I would call the collection zen — rather, it was fun and sexy, like the asymmetric swimsuit worn with slouchy pants and heels, or the dresses that tied loosely on the side to reveal a hint of skin. There was also plenty to admire in the accessories department; thanks to the raised runway, everyone got to see the dangerously high irridescent platform ankle-strap heels and the little purses that resembled both girly perfume bottles and a tiny cartoon bomb. Overall, it was a superbly fun show with plenty of Parisian glamour for all.

It was cold, gray, and windy, and we were sitting in a concrete underpass that sat along an industrial stretch of the Seine — not the coziest setting for Anthony Vaccarello's Spring 2013 show. But we needn't have worried — the designer responsible for sky-high thigh slits brought the heat with his sexy collection. Anja Rubik, who made headlines in Vaccarello's white slit gown at the Met Gala, opened and closed the show, and Arizona Muse, Cara Delevingne, and Karlie Kloss all walked. The collection was almost entirely black and white, shot through with doses of metallic sheen, and some pieces were in blue and copper metallic leopard. There was a loose utilitarian feel, thanks to zippers, grommets, and banding, but it was done on soft silk so it felt fluid and sexy, not tough. I mean, if you're going to do sexy, you should really just go for it, and Vaccarello did exactly that. The short hemlines and barely there tops are ideal for party girls with big budgets.

Check out all the pictures from Mary Katrantzou's Spring 2013 collection and come back soon for our full review.

Check out the all the pictures from Calvin Klein's Spring 2013 collection, and come back soon for our full review.