Few names in fashion are more synonymous with glamour than Versace. The Italian house is famed for its flashy metallics, vibrant prints and Medusa head logos – and not forgetting for its charismatic creative director Donatella Versace. It’s no surprise that the Atelier Versace couture show is always one of the season’s most anticipated. High-profile guests and a line-up of industry veterans are always guaranteed, and last night's show was no exception. 

THE SHOW TOOK PLACE IN AN ACTUAL PALACE

Donatella took decadence to new heights with her choice of venue, choosing Paris’ prestigious Palais Brogniart as the setting for AW16 couture once more. The grandiose building, which was once the home of the stock exchange and sits just minutes away from the Louvre gallery, acted as the ideal backdrop for Versace’s high-voltage aesthetic.

NAOMI CAMPBELL SAT FRONT ROW

Versace shows always attract high-profile guests, so it should come as no real surprise that supermodel Naomi Campbell sat front row to support her designer pal. Not only is the model a friend of Versace, she plays an important role in the brand’s history and has starred in some of its most popular ad campaigns.

THE LEGENDARY PAT MCGRATH WAS ON MAKE-UP

Pat McGrath is one of the most influential make-up artists in fashion, so it seems only fitting she was backstage at Versace to work her magic on the biggest names in the industry. The show’s beauty look was neutral yet futuristic, characterised by glitter-coated lips and sweeps of blue eyeliner.

KAREN ELSON OPENED THE SHOW

The red-headed beauty has a long relationship with Versace, starring in various campaigns shot by the iconic Richard Avedon. 20 years later Elson’s runway game is stronger than ever – SS16 saw her walk for the likes of Fendi and Marc Jacobs amongst others. Tonight, she opened the show in a dusky pink trenchcoat left partially unbelted to reveal a silk lining and an asymmetric red gown beneath.

THE WORLD’S FAVOURITE MODELS WALKED THE RUNWAY

Tonight’s cast was made up of the fashion industry’s most powerful women – past and present. Veterans Sasha Pivovarova, Mariacarla Boscono and Jamie Bochert walked alongside a new generation of supermodels including Bella Hadid and Dazed cover girl Yasmin Wijnaldum.

CAMO PRINT GOT A COUTURE MAKEOVER

Versace is renowned for its sex appeal and lashings of sequins, meaning that the unexpected flash of camo print was doubly surprising. The military staple adorned a glamorous minidress covered with layers of draped and twisted fabric – a black, heavily embellished evening coat completed the look.

BOY MEETS GIRL

One of the show’s most innovative looks was a candy-coated take on couture androgyny. The dress-suit hybrid was modelled by Kasia Struss; traditional tapered trousers were teamed with a sharp nipped-in waist, an oversized silk train and origami detailing.

DRESSES WERE COVERED IN LASER-CUT RIPPLES

Technical methods of construction were pushed to the extreme in a series of eye-wateringly intricate looks. Laser-cut silks rippled down gowns like cascading waves, contrast ruffles fanned out to form demi-peplums and thin strips of aquamarine fabric were studded with beads and built into one spectacular barely-there dress, modelled by Mica Arganaraz.