Paris Fashion Week is the pinnacle of global fashion influence, and during the week and a half of official shows, everyone flocks to town — even in an age when shows are broadcast live on the Internet, and complete collection are viewable via Google Images minutes later. This alone demonstrates that the week represents more than just the buying and selling of clothes, but is in itself a style experience. Amongst the most notable brands shown were Prada’s Miu Miu, Britain’s Alexander McQueen and Louis Vuitton, headed by American designer Marc Jacobs.

Apart from the heavy hitting brands, it is also important to remember the classic French labels including our favourite, Sonia Rykiel, which showed bright colour blocking, tall shoes, and long feminine flowing skirts for the Autumn/Winter season.

Away from the giant white tents of The Tuileries, the fun and girly agnès b. label  showed at the Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild. True to her style, the collection included splashes of colour and preppy conservative cuts with modern updates. A French chapeau and flats added French patriotism to the collection. After the show, designer Agnès Andrée Marguerite Troublé herself, invited guests to a private dining room filled with champagne and miniatures delights to indulge in while she mingled amongst the crowd.

The Alexander Mcqueen collection included an edge space-age collection by head designer Sarah Burton. Exaggerated silhouettes with dynamic sleeves, hemlines and shoulders were created out of goat fur and leather, topped off with designs set in laser-cut organza. Miu Miu stayed true to its brand with rich bright colours and patterns, but added a twist by focusing on pantsuits. The few dresses and four high-waisted short-shorts shown were as elaborately embroidered as the former.

The biggest of surprise of Paris Fashion Week was singer-turned-designer Kanye West. Double teaming with a $6K Giuseppe Zanotti collection unveiled at Collette, and his own runway collection, West’s buckled over-the-knee boots were one of many sharp and savvy statements seen on the catwalk.

During the course of Paris Fashion Week, a giant tent in the centre of the Louvre could be seen being erected for the Louis Vuitton show, considered the grand finale of the week. An actual train was used during the show that displayed models descending in over sized hats, chunky heels and long cut coats and dresses — a modern day version of 19th century LV beginnings.

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After all the collections had made their way down the catwalk, the thing to take away from these nine days in Paris was the evolution of the Autumn coat. From boxy, spacious jackets, to bright textured tweeds and leather, the key phrase is “statement jacket” when it comes to what has transcended into a new year of fashion. Céline lead the way with minimalism, with other brands such as Hermès and Mugler offering streamlined coats in a similar style.

If you can only get one item this upcoming Autumn/Winter season, purchase one of the season’s statement jackets, best in bright blues and reds.