Style Spotting: Parisian Couture

Versace Couture 2012

Couture fashion is known for out-of-this-world extravagance, and last week's winter 2012 collections were no exception.

From Versace's high-voltage glamour to Valentino's quiet elegance, fashion's biggest players let their imaginations run wild. The common thread? Grand, floor-swishing lengths and a preference for romantic shades of princess pink.

Christian Dior, Chanel, Valentino Couture 2012

The sartorial equivalent of a strawberry milkshake, pastel pink suffuses any look with light-hearted youthfulness. Fresher than grey, sweeter than navy, blush heels or flats are a perfect way to liven up your go-to black.

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Of course, the couture shows are as much about the front row as they are about the collections. From Knocked Up star Leslie Mann to French actress Ana Girdot, A-listers favoured black and sensible shoes over towering and complicated ones.

Diane Kruger's take? Chic black flats with a twist. And, as it happens, that's one of the styles we love best.

Leslie Mann, Diane Kruger, Ana Girdot