runway: JOHN GALLIANO SS10 [PARIS]

John Galliano's spring 2010 show in Paris was staggeringly beautiful. Bubbles fell from the ceiling and popped into puffs of vapor. The runway was lit with red laser lights, creating a tunnel effect much like his also staggeringly beautiful fall 2009 show. This was Galliano's version of Sunset Boulevard (dialogue from the 1950 movie opened the show). "It came from a research trip to L.A.," Galliano told Style.com. "I went around the old houses of Hollywood and imagined how stars like Tallulah Bankhead, Lillian Gish, and Mary Pickford lived." Spring 2010's ubiquitous boudoir feel was present here, too, in sheer dresses and lace insets. The collection also included khaki jackets, beaded trenches, and skinny belted blazers.

CHANEL IMAN DOES DIOR HAUTE COUTURE

This season John Galliano for Christian Dior brought us 1920's-style hats and silhouettes that cinched at the waists and then exaggerated their proportions coming off the body. He played with bondage-like materials (black patent, leather) paired them with virginesqu white chiffons. In Dior's world right now, women could be both dangerous and demure, rules with an iron clad fist. This is rightly couture. Galliano is where he is best. We are impressed. And seeing Chanel Iman on the runway is always a breath of fresh air.

Guests included Liv Tyler, Eva Mendes, Janet Jackson and supermodel Claudia Schiffer.