In total darkness, McQueen's spell-binding late-night show on Friday saw models parade under an inverted pyramid of shimmering images and whispering voices in somber, severe or highly-sculpted protective gear.

Black invites to the show suggested a theme of the 17th century Salem witch trials in the United States. But the British designer seemed set to keep the supernatural at bay, especially with a metallic moulded bust and torso over a gold catsuit.

Amid the theatrical touches were softer aspects such as egg-shaped tops, but these were paired with second-skin shiny leggings to toughen them up, while hoods shrouded the head and waists were corseted in wide belts.

The highlight was a finale of evening dresses in otherworldly green and soft golds, particularly a long fitted black dress with glittery copper that dripped down it, and mermaid skirt gowns.

At Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld defied global warming with a snowy Alpine decor. "I felt like doing a very chilled decor as we are always talking of global warming, to reassure people," the German designer, a self-confessed snow lover, told reporters.

Suspended from the ceiling were 'clouds' made from seven kilometres (four miles) of fabric which were illuminated by the sun streaming through the glass and steel ceiling of the Grand Palais.

A model came out sporting a pair of golden skates over her shoulder in a black and white all-in-one snow suit with a red polo neck underneath, while another wore a woolly scarf and hat.

After his super-leggy look of recent Chanel collections, Lagerfeld lengthened his ready-to-wear silhouette for autumn-winter 2007-08 to around knee-length, or longer.

Skirts were slender and ladylike, often paired with long boots in matching patterns, and coat dresses were even longer with splits running high up the sides, while jeans were occasionally worn under coats.

The casual and sporty collection featured checks and lots of Coco Chanel's favoured tweed, from an elegant cream jacket and pencil skirt buttoned up the back, to tweed mixed with splashes of purple, turquoise and red.

A pepper-and-salt dress had a fuchsia top showing from under its shortened sleeves, as layering also crept in, while colourful jewellery embellished the clothes.

More formal wear included sleek dresses in black, bright red or electric blue and polished twinsets, while thickly-sequined skirts moulded the form in light gold or white for cocktail hour.

Sober but stunning was a full-length black dress with a statuesque column skirt under a cocoon caped top that covered the arms but was left open behind to sexily reveal the lower back.

The penultimate day of Paris fashion week Saturday sees fashion houses Kenzo, Chloe and Hermes unveil their visions for women's luxury dressing for next winter.

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