The Globe and Mail

MAGIC FINGERS

Sheer and leather gloves that stretched up the arms (at Giorgio Armani Privé, Alexis Mabille and Christian Dior) and unusual finger sheaths (at Stéphane Rolland), all in matchy-matchy colours, left noticeable finishing touches.

PORCELAIN-INSPIRED DETAILS

Giambattista Valli’s garland embroidery and the smoked-crepe dress at Valentino boasted “biscuit” detailing and “Sèvres” inspiration. A bonus? On fabric, such delicately sculpted detailing is not prone to breakage.

LEMON ZINGERS

While Chanel pushed the boundaries of blue – reportedly 150 unique shades – other designers opted for shocks of fluorescent yellow (Atelier Versace, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Alexis Mabille) and chartreuse (Giorgio Armani Privé, Stéphane Rolland).

REVVED-UP REPTILES

First, the Giorgio Armani Privé snake print and scaly tech fabrics, then the painstakingly reconstructed crocodile jacket and dress at Givenchy. Reptile species get the haute treatment, without losing their edge.

BILLOWING BACKS

Though certainly sexy, exposed backs can be rather obvious. Far more romantic are those veiled in billowy, blousy fabrics. Giambattista Valli showed accordion pleating, while Elie Saab created wave-like layers.