In pics | Paris Fashion Week returns after virus hiatus

Women in sunglasses and body-hugging designs sashayed down a sleek, black runway beneath an Eiffel Tower glowing orange in the night. Wisps of fringe swished from the hem of a lemon-yellow creation, its model clutching a shiny handbag adorned with safety pins. The eyes of the couture world were fixed even more than usual on France’s always-chic capital in recent days, as designers showed off their latest work for Paris Fashion Week after going mostly virtual for a year due to the coronavirus pandemic. While most of this season’s 97 shows remained online as the country recovers from another wave of COVID-19 infections in the summer, about a third did opt for a physical return to the runway, including industry heavyweights from Chanel and Hermes to Louis Vuitton and Yves Saint Laurent. (Image: AP)

Models wear creations for the Yamamoto Spring-Summer 2022 ready-to-wear fashion show in Paris, Friday, October 1, 2021. (Image: AP)

A model, who is an amputee, has her dress adjusted prior to the 'Victoire, on defile!' (Victory, we walk!) fashion show, at the Hotel des Invalides in Paris, Wednesday, September 29 2021. A new collection by Italian designer Fabio Porlod will feature female amputees and women who have been injured. (Image: AP)

A model wears a creation for Saint Laurent Spring-Summer 2022 ready-to-wear fashion show Tuesday, September 28, 2021, in Paris. (Image: AP)

A model wears a creation for Acne Studios Spring-Summer 2022 ready-to-wear fashion show Wednesday, September 29, 2021, in Paris. (Image: AP)

A model wears a creation for Rick Owens' Spring-Summer 2022 ready-to-wear fashion show Thursday, September 30, 2021, in Paris. (Image: AP)

Olivier Rousteing, center, accepts applause as he walks with models at the conclusion of the Balmain Spring-Summer 2022 ready-to-wear fashion show in Paris, Wednesday, September 29, 2021. (Image: AP)

A model wears a creation for the Valentino Spring-Summer 2022 ready-to-wear fashion show in Paris, Friday, October 1, 2021. (Image: AP)

A model wears a creation for Saint Laurent Spring-Summer 2022 ready-to-wear fashion show Tuesday, September 28, 2021, in Paris. (Image: AP)

Models wear creations for the Isabel Marant Spring-Summer 2022 ready-to-wear fashion show in Paris, Thursday, September 30, 2021. (Image: AP)

A model wears a creation for Rick Owens' Spring-Summer 2022 ready-to-wear fashion show Thursday, September 30, 2021, in Paris. (Image: AP)

Models wear creations for the Dior Spring-Summer 2022 ready-to-wear fashion show Tuesday, September 28, 2021, in Paris. (Image: AP)

Models wear creations for Rick Owens' Spring-Summer 2022 ready-to-wear fashion show Thursday, September 30, 2021, in Paris. (Image: AP)