Paris Runway

It's nearly springtime in Paris. On the fashion calendar, that means it's time to roll out the Autumn/Winter 2007/2008 ready-to-wear collections in a series of shows that are as much about theater as they are about fashion. Take a look at the latest, presented during Paris Fashion Week. At left, a model wears a dress by Elie Saab on March 4, 2007.

Elie Saab

Models cross paths on the runway in dresses by celebrity favorite Elie Saab during the Autumn/Winter 2007/2008 ready-to-wear collection show on March 4, 2007 in Paris.

John Galliano

Speaking of theater, nobody puts on a show like fashion designer John Galliano. He makes great dresses, too, even if it isn't always easy to see them in the midst of the freaky surrealistic staging. Here, a model poses during the Galliano show on March 3, 2007 in Paris.

John Galliano

A model poses in a gown for John Galliano's Autumn/Winter 2007/2008 ready-to-wear collection on March 3, 2007 in Paris.

John Galliano

In one of the show's creepier moments, a model walks the runway clutching a doll during John Galliano's Autumn/Winter 2007/2008 ready-to-wear show on March 3, 2007 in Paris.

John Galliano

There might be a decent outfit in there somewhere. A model walks the runway for designer John Galliano during his Autumn/Winter 2007/2008 ready-to-wear show on March 3, 2007 in Paris.

John Galliano

The crowd watching the John Galliano show included pop star Kylie Minogue, center, on March 3, 2007 in Paris.

Jean-Paul Gaultier

Another big name in Paris fashion, Jean-Paul Gaultier, cut short the theatrics this time around and just showed beautiful clothes for the venerable French label Hermes. At left, a model walks the runway during the Hermes Autumn/Winter 2007/2008 ready-to-wear collection show on March 3, 2007 in Paris.

Jean-Paul Gaultier

Models in casual outfits walk the runway at the Jean-Paul Gaultier for Hermes show March 3, 2007 in Paris.

Jean-Paul Gaultier

A model shows a gown by Jean-Paul Gaultier during the Hermes Autumn/Winter 2007/2008 ready-to-wear collection show on March 3, 2007 in Paris.

Marc Jacobs

American fashion darling Marc Jacobs showed fashions in rich color choices that he said were inspired by the painter Vermeer. Here, a model wears an outfit by designer Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton during the Autumn/Winter 2007/2008 ready-to-wear collection show March 4, 2007 in Paris.

Marc Jacobs

a model walks the runway for Marc Jacobs during the Louis Vuitton Autumn/Winter 2007/2008 ready-to-wear collection show on March 4, 2007 in Paris.

Kenzo

The theatrical acts continued at fashion house Kenzo, where dancers from the Paris Opera did a tango with life-sized rag dolls. But the real show was about fashion, like this outfit at left designed by Antonio Marras for the Kenzo Autumn/Winter 2007/2008 ready-to-wear collection presented March 3, 2007 in Paris.

Kenzo

A model wears a gown by Antonio Marras for Kenzo during the Autumn/Winter 2007/2008 ready-to-wear collection show on March 3, 2007 in Paris.

Alexander McQueen

Designer Alexander McQueen says his latest collection was inspired by an ancestor, Elizabeth How, who was hanged during the Salem witch trials in 1692. Sad story. Nice coat. A model walks the runway during McQueen's Autumn/Winter 2007/2008 ready-to-wear collection show on March 2, 2007 in Paris.

Chanel

Whatever the inspiration, Chanel still looks reassuringly like Chanel. At left, a model poses in an outfit by designer Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel during the Autumn/Winter 2007/2008 ready-to-wear collection show on March 2, 2007 in Paris.

Chanel

A model wears a design by German designer Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel during the Autumn/Winter 2007/2008 ready-to-wear collection show on March 2, 2007 in Paris.