Screen sirens rule runway at Jean Paul Gaultier

Screen sirens reigned on the final day of Paris's short haute couture week, as Jean Paul Gaultier revisited Hollywood's golden age. Models made up as Jean Harlow, Lana Turner, Marilyn Monroe and other iconic actresses wore slinky gowns in velvet, mink-trimmed tailored suits and Art Deco corsetry. The traditional bridal finale saw the model appear against a backdrop of famous Hollywood actresses.

Modern-day Hollywood also made a surprise appearance in the shape of Mickey Rourke. Beseiged by paparazzi, the star of The Wrestler was forced to seek refuge in the back row, only taking his front row seat when the show began.

Kylie Minogue also caused a stir when she turned up wearing a vintage Gaultier corset dress of black lace, accompanied by her stylist and friend William Baker. Gaultier and Italian designers Dolce & Gabbana will create the costumes for the singer's North American tour in October.

French celebrities supporting Gaultier included the actress Josiane Balasko, fellow designer Sonia Rykiel and the former model turned designer and boutique owner Ines de la Fressange.

Gaultier said backstage that the economic recession had given him the perfect opportunity to be creative. "The crisis is the time when one should create new ways of doing things, find solutions... and put even the most basic things into question." Asked about the financial woes of French designer Christian Lacroix, who may have overseen his last haute couture show because of financial difficulties, Gaultier said: "Lacroix is a creator, he will do something creative again."

Meanwhile Valentino's new design team, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli, appeared to be courting a younger, hipper clientele with their third collection for the label. The pair, who last year replaced Valentino's successor Alessandra Facchinetti just two seasons after the maestro himself retired, eschewed classic looks for thigh-skimming skirts, nude tulle and sexy peek-a-boo lace.