In the world of fashion, all eyes are on Paris for Couture Fashion Week Fall 2011, which took place July 4th-7th this year.  Unlike Ready-to-Wear collections, only a select few designers pump out couture shows, and they take this opportunity to push their boundaries and find the line between fashion and art.  Is couture fashion design a form of artwork? You be the judge.

SHEI has highlighted some of the most impressive and innovative shows this season, but to read full reviews as see all the pics, check out style.com.

Armani Prive

Paying homage to Japan, Giorgio Armani was inspired by Eastern culture for his Fall 2011 Couture collection.  The result was elegant and interesting, not to mention something completely different and inspired.

Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com

Chanel

Talk about a throwback to Coco Chanel’s original 1920s work. Karl Lagerfeld knows his tweed suits and “lampshade” silhouettes, but also knows that a pop of bright purple here and there will quickly bring us back to the 21st century.

Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com

Elie Saab

Saab’s collection this season is the epitome of a sophisticated, subtle sex appeal. Beaded gowns, barely-there, flesh colored fabrics and gorgeous low-cuts had the audience drooling. The show ended with a beautiful wedding dress that fit the collection perfectly. I’d like to get my name on a list for that dress.  Here’s to hoping.

Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com

Valentino

There was a medieval, fairy-tale feel to Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli’s collection for Valentino.  Although every piece was a dress, there was still an element of diversity in fabrics, cuts and silhouettes that made every model look like a different kind of princess, but a princess none-the-less.

Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com

- Jessie Linton