Japanese designers take centre stage at Paris fashion shows

In a typically experimental collection from Watanabe, who has said he is not « interested in the mainstream », models sported hair arrangements that were art works in themselves.

The look was matched by dresses with long fringes that looked like stalactites hanging from the roof of a cave.

Sheer embroidered fabrics continued the experimental feel at Tsumori Chisato.

Looks that stood out included a skirt with a bamboo basket-style knit teamed with an off the shoulder print top and feminine print dresses.

Meanwhile, Yohji Yamamoto late Friday departed in part from his trademark black with looks in electric colours that had industry journal Women’s Wear Daily bemused.

The designer after starting with classic, Yamamoto lean, black tailoring embarked on a « rudderless course, veering from sporty neon layers to pixilated camouflage to spongy knit gowns », it said.

Nine days of women’s ready-to-wear fashion for spring/summer 2014 are due to wrap up on Wednesday.