VIRGINIE VIARD

Art has returned to a glittering Chanel universe, with monumental animal sculptures gathering in the center of the runway-in-the-round for its Paris Fashion Week couture show.

The funfair lights at Louis Vuitton sere shining as brightly as the starry front row for the vibrant and infectious spring collection from Nicolas Ghesquiere that capped Paris Fashion Week.

Birds tweeted -- not fashionistas -- the day Chanel brought its couture guests to the calm of the Bois de Boulogne forest.

Huge spinning wheels, “floating” wooden blocks and suspended geometric shapes hovered over a surreal mini gold course Tuesday at Chanel’s remarkable couture show.

Huge spinning wheels, “floating” wooden blocks and suspended geometric shapes hovered over a surreal mini gold course Tuesday at Chanel’s remarkable couture show. This sublime, avant-garde decor was the work of Xavier Veilhan and marked the first time in its history that Chanel has entrusted a contemporary artist for staging. The beautiful beast and its VIP rider, in a black Chanel tweed sequined jacket of course, began the show to a symphony of gasps and clopping hooves around the Grand Palais Ephemere’s auditorium as celebrity guests snapped pictures.

The iconic French label Chanel drew throngs of guests and some celebrities to view the brand’s latest resort collection with a runway show in Dubai.

Chanel brought Paris Fashion Week to its final day with a runway show that illustrated how designers and the people they dress want to look to the future with optimism.