John Galliano kicks off Paris Haute Couture from Versailles Palace

The highest fashion event of the year has begun with a star-studded show at the Palais de Versailles in Paris.

The first show was put on by British designer John Galliano for Christian Dior's Fall-Winter 2007/2008 Haute Couture collection. (This is generally held on the eve of the Paris show itself - in this case July 3rd 2007).

Galliano's fashions paid homage to the works of painters ranging from Leonardo da Vinci to Pablo Picasso.

For those who aren't fully acquainted with Haute Couture, the twice-yearly presentations held in January and July are the jewel in the French fashion crown. They make the designer ready-to-wear collections we buy on the High Street seem positively banal by comparison.

There are seldom more than a dozen Couture houses who participate in this twice annual extravaganza simply because the commitment required by the Institute is so high. There must, for example, be a minimum of 20 people working on each collection and the work has to be of the highest artisan standard etc etc.

But even by these standards of haute couture, this years show is so far one to remember.

For Galliano, head designer at Christain Dior the use of the Versailles Palace was a masterstroke. For one night only, the Palace was transformed into an expression of the glory of fashion.

Of the 200 or so couture clients in the world - that's right, only aproximately 200 people in the world can afford these clothes, among them in the audience were Kate Hudson, Sofia Coppola, Juliette Binoche, Monica Bellucci and Charlize Theron.

The show runs until Saturday July 7th 2007.