Karl Lagerfeld installed an entire working casino in Paris's Grand Palais for the Chanel haute couture show this morning. It felt as if it had been there forever, testimony, surely, to this house's power. Guests filed in and were met by fully operational one-armed bandits. Coins were provided. 555? Jackpot!
As if that weren't enough, the lights went up and out came Geraldine Chaplin - styled as Coco Chanel - Julianne Moore in emerald velvet, Rita Ora in liquid silver, Kristen Stewart in a little black dress, Vanessa Paradis in shimmering gold, Stella Tennant, Lara Stone... The list went on. All took their seats at blackjack tables centrally placed and overhung by chandeliers and began their games.
Each was wearing a look created especially for them. Perhaps the most extraordinary thing about this, the mother of all productions, then, was that when the first looks from the couture collection itself emerged the focus moved away from even this superstar line up and was directed entirely on these, the world's most magical clothes.
The quilting on the opening sequence of Chanel suits was achieved blending the time-honoured craftsmanship of the couture ateliers with Selective Laser Sintering, a relatively new technique that gave garments a moulded and very slightly futuristic quality all while preserving the great Chanel codes. They were beautiful and in no way gimmicky.
These were followed by softer pieces in ivory, blush and eau de nil with crystal and feathered embroideries applied in the traditional manner that - equally - took the breath away.
As the aforementioned A-listers, gambling away happily throughout, went to prove, this is a house that caters to the needs of the discerning customer of all tastes and ages: the more traditional among them may prefer a boxy jacket and straight, knee-length skirt, for example. She will be spoilt for choice. Her daughter, meanwhile, might go for bouncing, bell-shaped confections. Again, she won't be disappointed. Moreover, that same lucky girl could - and some might argue should - decide to be married in a trouser suit as opposed to the traditional haute couture meringue. Kendall Jenner, the bride on this occasion, certainly showed how that might best be done. Marvellous.