Haute Couture Fashion Week S/S 2014: everything you need to know

Models present creations by French designer Alexis Mabille as part of his Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2014 fashion collection in Paris January 20, 2014. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes (FRANCE - Tags: FASHION)
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Shortly before the autumn/winter ready-to-wear collections are unveiled, the haute couture collections are showcased.

Paris's best ateliers put together the finest calibre of workmanship into garments that truly bridge the gap between art and fashion.

Each designer, unique in their own way, showcases the highest levels of creativity during Haute Couture Fashion Week.

Were there any pieces that stood out to you? Let us know in the comment box below.

Take a look at some of our favourites:

Viktor & Rolf's ballet-inspired pieces were juxtaposed with frizzy crimped hair.

It was hard to choose a favourite among Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli's collection for Valentino.

Alexandre Vauthier seduced us with shades of black, gold and maroon using leather and heavy fringing for a sultry appeal.

Lebanese designer, Elie Saab, adopted a bright palette with a heavy emphasis on floral prints for an ethereal effect.

Alexis Mabille's butterfly set-up wowed us just as much as the beautiful cream and white pieces.

Armani Privé's show played with the concept of iridescence as models walked down the runway in glossy silks, organza and heavy embroidery.

Donatella Versace looked to Grace Jones for inspiration for the Atelier Versace show.

Hussein Chalayan and Goga Ashkenazi played with Vionnet's classic formula of draping and colour.

Bouchra Jarrar's minimal pieces stood out in a sea of embellished dresses.

Karl Lagerfeld's show for Chanel featured adorable pastels, peter pan collars and a trainer-clad model army.

Giambattista Valli's strong silhouettes, and even stronger shades, stuck to the designer's feminine aesthetic.

Raf Simon's brought ladylike polka dots to Christian Dior- whether they were cut out or added onto the fabric.

Schiaparelli's designer Marco Zanini put together a fantastical show- perfect from hair and headpieces down to shoes.

Stéphane Rolland used his architectural style for this modern version of a butterfly- a recurrent theme this Haute Couture Fashion Week.

Jean-Paul Gaultier was yet another designer to reference butterflies- however the added twist was a showgirl spin on the trend.