Givenchy gowns steal the show at Paris Fashion Week

Givenchy creative director Matthew M. Williams focused on dresses at the French fashion house's fall runway show at Paris Fashion Week on Thursday, sending out a line-up of long, slinky gowns that swept the runway.

First he kicked off the show for the LVMH-owned label with all-black, sharply-tailored outerwear - coats with sleeves that fell below the wrists and hemlines that reached the ankles.

Models then paraded down the stark, white runway wearing gowns with plunging necklines and long slits, with just a few touches of bright colours - including sheer dresses in lime green, bright pink and lavender.

The trademark embellishments - chains and extra buckles were relegated to the sidelines, leaving only the occasional belt lined with metal loops, some leg straps with buckles and a thick, gold handle on bright green clutch.

Layered looks were less present than in previous seasons, though there were a few, mixing brown shearling and slick, black leather.

While the models marched to a solemn, electronic beat in a temporary tent at the Ecole Militaire in central Paris, some of the guests were more flamboyant.