The joy of sets: a look back at fashion’s most elaborate catwalk shows

By Zahra Jamshed, CNN
1 minute read
Updated 9:06 PM EDT, Wed September 23, 2015
Chanel's spring/summer 2015 show converted the Grand Palais into a Parisian Boulevard, complete with small townhouses. As part of the show, the fashion house staged a street protest.
Chanel Spring/Summer 2015 —
Chanel's spring/summer 2015 show converted the Grand Palais into a Parisian Boulevard, complete with small townhouses. As part of the show, the fashion house staged a street protest.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Swapping out the usual front row seats with benches, attendees witnessed Cara Delevingne lead an army of models through the "streets" of Paris, holding inspirational quotes on signs as props.
Chanel Spring/Summer 2015 —
Swapping out the usual front row seats with benches, attendees witnessed Cara Delevingne lead an army of models through the "streets" of Paris, holding inspirational quotes on signs as props.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Chanel's fall/winter 2014 set in Paris was inspired by famed architect Le Corbusier. The set was in reference to Corbusier's work on a rooftop garden designed for multi-millionaire art collector Carlos de Beistegui. The production and the collection itself were both dubbed "Le Corbusier goes to Versailles."
Chanel Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2014/2015 —
Chanel's fall/winter 2014 set in Paris was inspired by famed architect Le Corbusier. The set was in reference to Corbusier's work on a rooftop garden designed for multi-millionaire art collector Carlos de Beistegui. The production and the collection itself were both dubbed "Le Corbusier goes to Versailles."
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Another production by Marc Jacobs, the curtain at this Louis Vuitton show was lifted to reveal a giant all-white carousel, with models perched on every horse.
Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2012 —
Another production by Marc Jacobs, the curtain at this Louis Vuitton show was lifted to reveal a giant all-white carousel, with models perched on every horse.
PATRICK KOVARIK/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Teaming up with artist Daniel Buren for this set design, Marc Jacobs, who was the creative director for Louis Vuitton at the time, installed four escalators onto the runway of the Grand Palais in Paris. Buren's signature checkerboard pattern can be seen on the set as well as throughout the collection itself.
Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2013 —
Teaming up with artist Daniel Buren for this set design, Marc Jacobs, who was the creative director for Louis Vuitton at the time, installed four escalators onto the runway of the Grand Palais in Paris. Buren's signature checkerboard pattern can be seen on the set as well as throughout the collection itself.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
For his spring/summer 2007 show, Alexander McQueen took attendees to The Round at Cirque d'Hiver-Bouglione, which is a legendary circus in Paris. A single chandelier hung as the center piece for the show, while a chamber orchestra played throughout.
Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2007 —
For his spring/summer 2007 show, Alexander McQueen took attendees to The Round at Cirque d'Hiver-Bouglione, which is a legendary circus in Paris. A single chandelier hung as the center piece for the show, while a chamber orchestra played throughout.
PIERRE VERDY/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Dior's fall/winter 2011/2012 production began as as a dark and somber event. Just one week before this production, the fashion house had given its famed creative director John Galiiano, the boot.
Dior Fall/Winter 2011/2012 —
Dior's fall/winter 2011/2012 production began as as a dark and somber event. Just one week before this production, the fashion house had given its famed creative director John Galiiano, the boot.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Dior closed the somber show by welcoming their seamstresses and tailors to the catwalk for the final bow. Attention was shifted from Galliano's departure to Dior's workforce.
Dior Fall/Winter 2011/12 —
Dior closed the somber show by welcoming their seamstresses and tailors to the catwalk for the final bow. Attention was shifted from Galliano's departure to Dior's workforce.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
As a theatrical finale for his fall/winter show in 1998, Alexander McQueen sent a masked model down a dimly lit runway. Once she walked to the center of the stage, a ring of fire was lit around her.
Alexander McQueen Fall/Winter 1998/1999 —
As a theatrical finale for his fall/winter show in 1998, Alexander McQueen sent a masked model down a dimly lit runway. Once she walked to the center of the stage, a ring of fire was lit around her.
PAUL VICENTE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
This extravagant set, conceived by Karl Lagerfeld, was a floral exhibit composed of blooming origami paper flowers. The fake flowers blossomed from bud to full bloom, during the show.
Chanel Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2015 —
This extravagant set, conceived by Karl Lagerfeld, was a floral exhibit composed of blooming origami paper flowers. The fake flowers blossomed from bud to full bloom, during the show.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Produced by Karl Lagerfeld, this iconic fashion show by Fendi turned the Great Wall of China into an extravagant catwalk.
Fendi Fall/Winter 2007 —
Produced by Karl Lagerfeld, this iconic fashion show by Fendi turned the Great Wall of China into an extravagant catwalk.
Lucas Dawson/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images for Fendi
Over a year of planning was put into this production. And it wasn't cheap. The estimated cost of this particular show was approximately $10 million.
Fendi Fall/Winter 2007 —
Over a year of planning was put into this production. And it wasn't cheap. The estimated cost of this particular show was approximately $10 million.
Lucas Dawson/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images for Fendi
This was the final Louis Vuitton collection designed with Marc Jacobs. For his final project with the fashion house, he paid tribute to his previous shows, with props such as escalators and carousels returning to the catwalk, but this time in all black.
Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2014 —
This was the final Louis Vuitton collection designed with Marc Jacobs. For his final project with the fashion house, he paid tribute to his previous shows, with props such as escalators and carousels returning to the catwalk, but this time in all black.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Tommy Hilfiger's fall/winter 2014 show was fully inspired by the great American outdoors. He filled the stage with fake snow, ski props and little pine trees.
Tommy Hilfiger Fall/Winter 2014 —
Tommy Hilfiger's fall/winter 2014 show was fully inspired by the great American outdoors. He filled the stage with fake snow, ski props and little pine trees.
Randy Brooke/Getty Images North America/Getty Images for Tommy Hilfiger
Hilfiger's Spring/Summer production turned the catwalk into an indoor beach, using a blue sky backdrop, sand and surfboards.
Tommy Hilfiger Spring/Summer 2014 —
Hilfiger's Spring/Summer production turned the catwalk into an indoor beach, using a blue sky backdrop, sand and surfboards.
Peter Michael Dills/Getty Images North America
Chanel's ready-to-wear spring/summer 2014 collection converted the Grand Palais into a giant art exhibit. All the props were fake works of art.
Chanel Spring/Summer 2014 —
Chanel's ready-to-wear spring/summer 2014 collection converted the Grand Palais into a giant art exhibit. All the props were fake works of art.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Taking inspiration from the spooky illustrations of Benjamin Lacombe, this production by Alice + Olivia took viewers through a dark and twisted fairytale, with displays and props inspired by childhood stories.
alice + olivia Fall/Winter 2014 —
Taking inspiration from the spooky illustrations of Benjamin Lacombe, this production by Alice + Olivia took viewers through a dark and twisted fairytale, with displays and props inspired by childhood stories.
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images North America
Chanel's fall/winter 2014/2015 show in Paris playfully turned the Grand Palais in Paris into a high fashion grocery store.
Chanel Fall/Winter 2014/2015 —
Chanel's fall/winter 2014/2015 show in Paris playfully turned the Grand Palais in Paris into a high fashion grocery store.
Francois Durand/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Models toted Chanel shopping bags and grocery carts, and proceeded to wind up and down the catwalk aisles while sifting through different Chanel-branded grocery items.
Chanel Fall/Winter 2014/2015 —
Models toted Chanel shopping bags and grocery carts, and proceeded to wind up and down the catwalk aisles while sifting through different Chanel-branded grocery items.
Francois Durand/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Teaming up with sculptor Rachel Feinstein for this particular production, Marc Jacob's fall/winter 2012 show was set against the backdrop of a peculiar and morbid looking castle, constructed entirely out of paper.
Marc Jacobs Fall/Winter 2012 —
Teaming up with sculptor Rachel Feinstein for this particular production, Marc Jacob's fall/winter 2012 show was set against the backdrop of a peculiar and morbid looking castle, constructed entirely out of paper.
Andy Kropa/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
With Raf Simons taking over the role of creative director, Dior's spring/summer 2015 collection was revealed against a hectic backdrop of scaffolding and mirrors.
Dior Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2015 —
With Raf Simons taking over the role of creative director, Dior's spring/summer 2015 collection was revealed against a hectic backdrop of scaffolding and mirrors.
FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
In contrast to its busy interior, the all-white exterior of the Dior spring/summer 2015 set popped out against the greenery of its Parisian garden backdrop.
Dior Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2015 —
In contrast to its busy interior, the all-white exterior of the Dior spring/summer 2015 set popped out against the greenery of its Parisian garden backdrop.
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Turning a simple fashion show into an interactive production, Chanel's fall/winter 2015/2016 show invited guests to experience the new collection under the guise of a casino set-up.
Chanel Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2015/2016 —
Turning a simple fashion show into an interactive production, Chanel's fall/winter 2015/2016 show invited guests to experience the new collection under the guise of a casino set-up.
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Hollywood starlets Kristen Stewart, Julianne Moore and Rita Ora opened for the show by taking center stage at casino tables. They then proceeded to play while models showed off the collection using the runway around them.
Chanel Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2015/2016 —
Hollywood starlets Kristen Stewart, Julianne Moore and Rita Ora opened for the show by taking center stage at casino tables. They then proceeded to play while models showed off the collection using the runway around them.
FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The joy of sets: a look back at fashion's most elaborate catwalk shows
CNN  — 

Fashion weeks are a chance for designers to take their creative visions to the next level, transforming runways and stages to theatrical masterpieces. Whether it’s a spectacular mashup between a designer and an architect, a tribute to the past, or simply a wacky set that no one saw coming – fashion weeks are known to break the boundaries of conventional set designs. In the gallery above, we look back at some of the most stunning visual experiences to come out of the industry.