Couture claws at the ready; tempers are flying high in the world of haute fashion, and schedules aren’t the only thing clashing.

Though it’s Menswear Fashion Week in Milan, Giorgio Armani’s attention has turned to couture and a certain Mr. Dior, who’s forced a schedule change. And let’s just say Armani’s less than pleased.

In a statement released to press, the Italian designer digs at Dior for forcing him to change the schedule of his Armani Prive show, which was due to show at 7.30 but has now been moved back to 9pm, due to what the designer calls an “unexpected and unjustifiable time change on Dior’s part, Style.com reveal.

He then goes on to say Dior’s move is “indicative of a lack of respect for other people’s time and labour.

Oh dear. Dior is yet to respond, but we’ll be hoping listening out for a comeback.

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Kylie Minogue sought inspiration for her stage costumes at Jean-Paul Gaultier’s haute couture show yesterday.

The singer – clad in a vintage black lace cone-bra dress from the designer – was in the crowd at Paris Couture Week for the golden age of Hollywood-inspired show from the man who will co-style her forthcoming North American tour.

Models were made up in the style of classic screen sirens including Joan Crawford, Marilyn Monroe, Greta Garbo and Rita Hayworth, and took to the catwalk to music punctuated by dialogue clips and film soundtracks of the era.

The range included trench coasts, pinstripe trouser suits, tight corsets, lacy bodices fur coats, mink-trimmed tailored suits and lavish velvet gowns.

There were also velvet overalls, dresses made entirely out of film reel and rubber unitards.

In the finale of the show – which was decorated as a film set – a bride appeared against a backdrop of famous Hollywood faces, and each one in turn was projected onto her own face.

Kylie was not the only famous face who attended – Hollywood actor Mickey Rourke also put in appearance.

Elie Saab’s collection on the final day of the shows was seemingly bridal inspired. His 46-piece show featured sequin, feather and tulle-covered dresses in varying shades of white – from purest snow colour to a shimmering gold tinge.

Valentino’s show proved a radical departure from the label’s norm, but to the surprise of guests. The usual tasteful silk cocktail dresses and day coats were shunned for skin-tight bodice dresses in flesh-coloured tulle and black lace with daringly short hemlines.

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Megan Fox was the star attraction at Giorgio Armani’s Paris fashion show yesterday.

The ‘Transformers’ beauty looked stunning in an Armani asymmetrical knee-length dress, with her long dark locks tumbling over her shoulders, as she joined Cate Blancett in the front row of the designer’s catwalk show at the French city’s Couture Fashion Week.

While Megan wore a simple dress, the show’s models showcased new designs which wore covered in dazzling beadwork and sequins.
Admitting the collection could be hard to wear, Megan said: “I don’t know if I could pull it off, but I could try.”

Cate Blanchett, who was dressed on an Armani pagoda-shouldered sheath dress, was also impressed by the collection.

The Oscar-winning beauty said: “It’s blinding, it’s beautiful, really beautiful.”

Armani’s winter 2010 display featured his signature look of pantsuits, complete with rhinestone-hemmed cuffs and buttons, and a series of bustier dresses, covered in crystals and sequins.

Following the show, held at the Palais de Chaillot, Armani hosted a champagne reception in the Musee de l’Homme, next door, to launch his newest fragrance, l’Idole.

Other designers to showcase their new range at Paris Fashion Week included Christian Lacroix and Givenchy.

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John Galliano sent models down the catwalk in their underwear at the first day of Paris’ Couture Fashion Week yesterday.

The ‘Fever in the Cabine’ Christian Dior collection was inspired by shows put on in the 50s, and featured models in jackets and knickers, and skirts and bras.

Galliano was inspired by a picture of Dior backstage at a show surrounded by models hurriedly getting dressed. He attempted to recreate the mayhem on stage, with the couture outfits available to order as sets.

Britain’s Daily Telegraph newspaper reports: “A lilac, wide-collared jacket was worn with seashell-pink lace ‘tap’ pants and an orange satin ‘tulip’ skirt with a vintage-style, 50s black bra. Lace knickers, suspenders and stockings were paired with a dramatic, black-and-white, zebra-print jacket. A leopard-print sheath dress was open at the bust to show an elaborate black lace bra.”

A host of famous faces are tipped to be attending the Couture Week, with France’s First Lady Carla Bruni and actresses Claire Danes and Thandie Newton all expected to put in appearances.

There are also whispers singer Madonna – whose ‘Sticky and Sweet’ tour hits Paris on Thursday- could attend.
The ’4 Minutes’ can currently be seen sporting designs by Givenchy’s Riccardo Tisci during her shows, prompting speculation she might take a seat at the Givenchy show today.

Also debuting collections today are Giorgio Armani Prive, Chanel and Christian Lacroix. Industry experts are particularly keen to see the Lacroix show, following the May news of its financial difficulties.

Reports claims the French label recently told staff it will be reducing the workforce from 124 to 12.

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Part 2, Part 3 & Part 4

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