Paris: Rebel designer John Galliano tore up the fashion rule book Monday, pairing shredded gowns, a skewered fox and bulging body armor in his feverish autumn-winter haute couture collection for Christian Dior. Models teetered on sky-high platform shoes in a mind-bending array of outlandish costumes that paired deconstructed military coats with rippling silk trains and bulging denim jackets with billowing taffeta skirts. Guests including actor Dennis Hopper gathered in a tent on the grounds of a racetrack near Paris for the display on the first day of the haute couture week, which was also due to feature outfits by Italian designer Donatella Versace.
As the room was plunged into darkness, the London Community Gospel Choir struck up a haunting crescendo before breaking into a medley of soul classics.
Like a whirling dervish, Galliano twirled across continents, sprinkling Native American beading on a suede jacket and turning a studded leather motorbike jacket into a full skirt.

A model writhed for photographers as a fan placed under a vent in the catwalk blew up her blue nylon parka, revealing layers of pink ostrich feathers in an offbeat tribute to Marilyn Monroe's famous skirt-blowing scene in "The Seven Year Itch."
Outlandish headgear included giant feather headdresses and an oversized fur trapper's hat supporting a fox pelt on skewers that was sure to upset animal lovers.
Strangest of all, however, were the plates of body armor in the shape of bulging buttocks, pregnant bellies or protruding breasts, crossing Jean-Paul Gaultier's infamous conical bra and Thierry Mugler's chrome breast plates.
Sudanese model Alek Wek wore hers with a billowing lilac taffeta skirt reminiscent of painter John Singer Sargent's 19th century society portraits.
Galliano's talent lies precisely in such unexpected references. Strip away the outrageous styling, and you are left with a gown that would not look out of place at a charity ball or awards dinner.
All in all....a stunning show!!
Bureau Report