Show Stoppers

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What a Gem: Karl Lagerfeld lit up the Grand Palais stage in a setting reminiscent of Superman's Fortress of Solitude. With faux gypsum crystals towering over the models, this was one planet we'd have loved to visit.

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All Aboard: Circling a real steam engine train, the extravagant Louis Vuitton catwalk featured outfits that evoked an era gone by. To fill out the travel-themed period show, porters carrying chic bags followed each model down the runway.

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Rain, Rain: In true London form, rain was the staple at Burberry. While the show's clear tent revealed the wet weather outdoors, models walked the finale holding striped umbrellas beneath falling paper rain inside.

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Fashion Wake: Staging a platform of rebirth, designer Thom Browne began his fall show with ten "fashion victims," who rose from coffins lining the runway. The event was a mesmerizing display of exaggerated showmanship and creativity.

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With a Twist: Marc Jacobs created a visual feast of wintery ruins—a world where Marie Antoinette, the Mad Hatter and pilgrims collide.

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The Shining: The McQ runway in London was covered in a blanket of dried leaves, and the forestry theme continued into the finale, where one model followed a rope into darkness before seeing light emerge from a woodshed onstage.

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In the Details: Set to Baroque opera music, Dolce & Gabbana's collection was very Old World–meets–modern sex appeal. Vine-covered chandeliers and oversize gilded mirrors created a 17th-century Venetian stage.

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Homecoming: With a "Class of 2013" sign dangling among streamers, balloons and disco balls above the runway, DSquared2 formed its very own kitschy retro prom.

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Arranged Marriage: Jil Sander set a very pretty stage with pillars and flowers, complementing the simple yet beautiful clothing and symbolizing a serene ending to Raf Simons' reign as designer at the fashion house.

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Going Up?: At the Grand Promenade inside New York's Avery Fisher Hall, models entered and exited the runway via escalators for a literal runway-to-retail experience at Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti.

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Bottoms Up: Waiting for models at the end of the Chalayan runway were glasses of Champagne with a miniscule camera attached. As the ladies sipped their bubbles, spectators witnessed an up-close and personal view of each model's mouth.

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Carnival: After models power-walked down an intense, carnivalesque Lanvin show, Alber Elbaz crooned "Que Sera, Sera," creating what could be the most endearing end to any fashion show.

NEXT ON GLO: Sorbet Colors Are Big For Spring Fashion