Givency's showing at this seasons Paris Haute Couture Show was slightly different to the norm. The designer chose to present the collection as an art / fashion installation as opposed to the classic fashion show traditionally chosen by participating designers. This more innovative idea involved hiring panelled rooms that were once occupied an ancient palace overlooking the Place Vendome.

This location is the most expensive postcode in Paris and the prestigious designer showcasing here seems somewhat appropriate! Perhaps the installation option was chosen because the collection was solely to advertise the wonders that his house can do in terms of creating art pieces that happen to be clothes. Highlights included beads covered in net and lace tulle as trims on bolero jackets and quivering hand-sewn beadwork on tops that looked like real coral.

Ten exquisite garments were suspended from high ceilings, which allowed the fashion press (and over the next four days genuine haute couture clients) to witness couture work close-up, and for as long as they desired, perhaps an advantage to the shorter showing that a catwalk show option offers. Three rooms, each housing three to four ivory dresses, were given names like, 'tears of angels', the 'cloud room' and 'bird of paradise', to attempt to explain laborious techniques of beading on tulle.

In terms of reflecting the quality of the collection, this also enabled viewers to appreciate every hand-sewn stitch and bead embellishment, communicating the work behind such an elaborate design process. The collection has been made entirely by hand in the Givenchy workshop, (one piece took over one month to make in working hours - the most time-exhaustive piece in living memory)! The 'bird of paradise' room featured one dress spun from real gold thread, embroidered with a bird stretching its wings.

In the final cloud room was a photograph of the ten dresses being worn by a line of models, handpicked by the designer. So despite not using a catwalk show, the designer still managed to associate some of the most pivotal names in modelling with the collection. Featured in the images are : Zuzana Straska, Maria Carla Boscono, Iselin Steiro, Caroline Trentini, Kasia Struss.