At Chanel, the inspiration was imperial China. Gaultier looked back to ancient Greece. Hey, if you're selling dresses for up to $120,000, they'd better be something special. Take a look at the highlights of Spring/Summer 2006 Fashion Week in Paris. At left, a dress by hot Lebanese designer Robert Abi Nader.
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A model shows a pink embroidered gown by Lebanese designer Robert Abi Nader during the Spring/Summer 2006 haute couture collections, Jan. 24, 2006, in Paris.
Models wear two frothy creations by Italian designer Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy during the Spring/Summer 2006 haute couture collections, Jan. 24, 2006, in Paris.
That's not a pout, it's a grimace! A model makes a face while showing a gown by Lebanese designer Robert Abi Nader during the Spring/Summer 2006 haute couture collections, Jan. 24 2006, in Paris.
A model shows a delicately-embroidered green gown by Lebanese designer Robert Abi Nader during the Spring/Summer 2006 haute couture collections, Jan. 24, 2006, in Paris.
A model presents a draped creation by German designer Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel during the Spring/Summer 2006 haute couture collections, Jan. 24, 2006, in Paris. Lagerfeld reportedly got the inspiration for his latest line from an art exhibition, "China - The Emperors," currently at the Royal Academy in London.
A model shows a classic "little black dress" by Lebanese designer Elie Saab during the presentation of his haute couture spring-summer 2006 collection in Paris Jan. 25, 2006.
A model shows a pink cutout dress by Lebanese fashion designer Elie Saab during his haute couture spring-summer 2006 collection show in Paris Jan. 25, 2006. If it looks familiar, picture Halle Berry in it. He's a favorite designer of the actress, and she wore a Saab gown to pick up her Oscar for 2001's "Monster's Ball."
A model presents another pink dress by Lebanese fashion designer Elie Saab during the presentation of his haute couture spring-summer 2006 collection in Paris Jan. 25, 2006.
A model wears miles of blue ruffles by Lebanese fashion designer Elie Saab during the presentation of his haute couture spring-summer 2006 collection in Paris Jan. 25, 2006.
A model displays a frothy creation by Bulgarian fashion house Aura Tout Vu's haute couture spring-summer 2006 collection presented Jan. 25, 2006, in Paris. The designers for the firm are Livia S. Stoianova, Yassen Samouilov, and Portuguese designer Andre de Sa Pessoa.
The gowns were great, but the lighting and sets were even more beautiful at the show put on by French fashion designer Franck Sorbier for his haute couture spring-summer 2006 collection Jan. 25, 2006, in Paris.
This is the traditional show-ending wedding dress presented by French fashion designer Christophe Josse for his haute couture spring-summer 2006 fashion collection presented Jan. 24, 2006, in Paris.
In a gown that looks more like Mae West than Halle Berry, the last model on the catwalk is followed by French designer Dominique Sirop, appearing at the finale of his haute couture spring-summer 2006 fashion collection presented Jan. 24, 2006, in Paris.
A model glides past the front rows of guests at French fashion designer Dominique Sirop's haute couture spring-summer 2006 fashion collection show Jan. 24, 2006, in Paris.
A model presents a sleek and feathered creation by Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel's haute couture spring-summer 2006 fashion collection presented Jan. 24, 2006, at the Grand Palais in Paris.
A model presents a gown in muted grays by designer Giorgio Armani for his haute couture spring-summer 2006 collection presented in Paris, Jan. 23, 2006.
Backstage, assistants to Lebanese fashion designer Elie Saab give the final touches to the wedding gown before a model hits the catwalk during Saab's haute couture spring-summer 2006 collection presentation in Paris Jan. 25, 2006.
Is that a cigarette holder, or what? A model waving an unidentified prop displays a creation by French fashion designer Jean-Paul Gaultier for his haute couture spring-summer 2006 collection presented Jan. 25, 2006, in Paris. Gaultier reportedly took his inspiration for the collection from ancient Greece. Guess that means it isn't a cigarette holder.
Models toss flower petals at the end of French fashion designer Jean-Paul Gaultier's haute couture spring-summer 2006 collection presented Jan. 25, 2006, in Paris. All was not a bed of roses at Gaultier's show: Madonna caused a near-riot between bodyguards and paparazzi, just by showing up for her favorite designer.
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