Couture trend takeaways: croissants, crustaceans and capes

Divya Bala

Here, we talk you through the outstanding trends and wear-now takeaways from couture week.

#ChanelCroissant

Legendary hair honcho Sam McKnight created his French-baked-good-meets-Princess-Leia look that immediately started trending with the hashtag #chanelcroissant. Though it was actually inspired by a Picasso sculpture, the centre-parted, slicked-back do and the ladylike roll curling around the head did leave us feeling a little peckish.

All choked up

Evolving from a statement necklace to an integrated part of a garment, the choker collar was kept semi-attached to dresses and tops at Loris Azzaro, Julien Fournié and Ulyana Sergeenko, signalling the throat as fashions newest erogenous zone.

Feet first

Designers explored something of a foot fetish at couture week, with Dior bringing back the anklet, Armani Privé introducing disco-chic glitter socks and Valentino discarding footwear altogether in favour of bejeweled payal - or Indian 'foot bracelets'.

Pyjama party

There were signs of the Hugh Hefner approach to dressing at the mens shows earlier this month, with designers favouring bath robe styles and silk pyjama sets for daywear and couture definitely continued the theme. From Valentino's kimono-sleeved, floor-sweeping robe jackets to Jean Paul Gaultier's sequined silk pyjamas, it seems everybody wants to be in bed.

New layers

Seen first at Christian Dior, then Armani Privé, then Ilja Visser, tissue-thin, off-the-shoulder knitwear was layered under formal looks; lending a cool, off-handed elegance to eveningwear.

Chic creatures

From flocks of birds adorning gowns at Dice Kayek to Atelier Versace's spiderweb lace, and Aouadi's embroidered flamingoes and Schiaparelli's artful prawn brooches - fauna of land and air were given a haute new status.

Close to me

Perhaps suffering from a case of separation anxiety, designers favoured accessories that were attached or anchored to the body. See: Chanel's belt bags, Ralph & Russo's wristlet bags and Christian Dior's pumps, strapped to the ankle in thick ribbon bows.

Seeing green

Seen in a glittering sequin iteration at Givenchy, a burnt-out velvet at Valentino and a silk bias slip dress at Yiqing Yin, the universally flattering chartreuse shade is sure to inspire thousands of ready-to-wear collections for A/W '16.