And though many shows were held in more intimate settings than in previous seasons, it seems nothing - not even a recession - could stem the creative talents of the world's most revered designers.
Christian Dior was the first major player to take to the catwalk yesterday, and creative director John Galliano didn't disappoint his front row, which counted Dita von Teese, Kylie Minogue and U.S. Vogue editor Anna Wintour, with a typically theatrical offering.
Equestrian chic: Dior designer John Galliano played at courting the models, kneeling to kiss their hands
To a soundtrack of galloping horses, wasp-waists and bustle skirts inspired by Dior's 1947 New Look were lent an equestrian feel with riding crops and neat tailored jackets in vibrant red and inky black.
Even Galliano himself, no stranger to eccentric dressing, joined in, wearing jodhpurs, knee-high boots and a frock coat. After the show he played at courting the models, kneeling to kiss their hands.
'I'm sure I could make a few moves with a riding crop,' said Minogue, who was dressed in grey Dior.
Fascinators and top hats swathed with chiffon made for stunning millinery, giving the models an air of mystery, while bold red lips, turquoise eyeshadow and high hair that Jedward could only dream of added a fresh-looking Eighties twist to the show.
New Look: Models armed with riding crops strode the Dior couture catwalk in top hats and riding jackets
Millinery: Models wore top hats with fascinators and headwear swathed in chiffon for a mysterious look
By contrast, Giorgio Armani Privé was almost ethereal, with shimmering fabrics and simple, sculptural shapes.
There were stars on and off the catwalk as Anne Hathaway and Tina Turner watched the lunar-themed show.
Models were literally cocooned in pearlescent couture, with crescent moons on jackets, necklaces and even taking shape as evening bags.
'The inspiration came to me when I was watching the moon rise over my holiday home,' Armani told reporters backstage after the show.
Lunar theme: The Armani Privé collection featured moon motifs on everything from jackets to jewellery
Cocooned in couture: Armani went for an ethereal look with shimmering, pearlescent fabrics
And it looks like we can expect to see his designs on the red carpet soon. The Devil Wears Prada star Hathaway, said she had her eye on about seven different looks.
'I have a few events in mind, and if Mr. Armani would be generous enough, I'd love to wear them,' she said.
But despite the fairytale creations on show, it was more catfight than catwalk between the esteemed designers.
Armani last week openly accused Christian Dior of foul play after the fashion house changed the timings of its show, forcing him to reschedule his slot from 7.30pm to 9pm. The Italian, who is the sole owner of his fashion empire, called the change 'unexpected and unjustifiable,' and 'indicative of a lack of respect for other people's time and labour.'
Wedding belle: Lara Stone, a.k.a the future Mrs David Walliams (centre), walked the Chanel couture catwalk in a floaty rose-embellished creation, accessorised with her trademark glower
Celebration of all things feminine: Karl Largerfeld's couture collection featured romantic pastel confections
A spokeswoman for Dior replied: 'We think it is not elegant to comment.'
Thankfully, this morning's Chanel show more than eclipsed the previous day's dramas, as Alexa Chung, Kanye West, his girlfriend Amber Rose, Claudia Schiffer and actress Charlotte Gainsbourg arrived to see the future Mrs David Walliams, Lara Stone, model some of Karl Largerfeld's finest work.
Ruffled pastel confections were set off by mirror-like metallics in a collection dubbed 'neon baroque' by the designer.
Roses upon roses were romantic in the extreme, teamed with Lady GaGa-style hair bows in a celebration of all things feminine.
Largerfeld admitted that working without black had been a challenge, and that his inspiration had come from the 'electronic flashes I get in my head.'
'I saw it in a dream and I made the sketches ... at five o'clock in the morning,' he told reporters.
AND OFF THE CATWALK...
Fashion friends: Kylie Minogue and Dita von Teese contemplated riding crops at Christian Dior; Kanye West arrived at Chanel with girlfriend Amber Rose, who wore a bizarre gold hooded gown
Centre of attention: Claudia Schiffer is mobbed by photographers as she arrives at the fashion show
Stellar line-up: Anne Hathaway (left) attended fashion friend Giorgio Armani's show wearing a futuristic-looking silver dress, while Tina Turner arrived in rock chick black
