In Pictures: Chanel's Most Spectacular Haute Couture Shows

As Paris haute couture week (July 1-5, 2018) kicks off, the fashion world is already pondering possible themes for this year's shows, not to mention the spectacular sets and decors that await. Chanel, in particular, is always one to watch, as the brand has made a habit of totally transforming the French capital's Grand Palais to show its collections in incredible decors. Ahead of this season's Chanel couture show, held July 3, here's a look at some of the most spectacular show decors thought up by the fashion house's creative director, Karl Lagerfeld.

At the end of the Chanel spring/summer 2006 haute couture show, the lid was lifted from a towering column in the middle of the runway, revealing a spectacular spiral staircase lined with the show's models. Paris, January 24, 2006.

For fall/winter 2009-2010, Karl Lagerfeld installed huge Chanel N°5 perfume bottles in the Grand Palais. Paris, July 7, 2009.

A giant lion -- nodding to one of Coco Chanel's signatures -- watched over the label's fall/winter 2010-2011 haute couture show in the Grand Palais. Paris, July 6, 2010.

For the Chanel fall/winter 2015-2016 haute couture show, Karl Lagerfeld transported the fashion world into a casino, with models walking amid roulette and cards tables. Paris, July 7, 2015.

Karl Lagerfeld once again took inspiration from nature -- exotic flora, more precisely -- for the Chanel spring/summer 2015 haute couture show. Paris, January 27, 2015.

Although you wouldn't believe it from the photo, Chanel's spring/summer 2013 haute couture show did take place in the Grand Palais. The Parisian exhibition space was transformed into an enchanted forest for the occasion. Paris, January 22, 2013.

Last season, for the spring/summer 2018 haute couture show, Chanel showed its collection in a decor inspired by a formal garden. Paris, January 23, 2018

The catwalk was turned into a derelict, almost post-apocalyptic theater for Chanel's fall/winter 2013-2014 haute couture show, contrasting with the collection's futuristic pieces. Paris, July 2, 2013.

Karl Lagerfeld celebrated Paris by building a replica Eiffel Tower in the middle of the Grand Palais for the Chanel fall/winter 2017-2018 haute couture show. Paris, July 4, 2017.

Photo 1 of 9 At the end of the Chanel spring/summer 2006 haute couture show, the lid was lifted from a towering column in the middle of the runway, revealing a spectacular spiral staircase lined with the show's models. Paris, January 24, 2006.

Photo 2 of 9 For fall/winter 2009-2010, Karl Lagerfeld installed huge Chanel N°5 perfume bottles in the Grand Palais. Paris, July 7, 2009.

Photo 3 of 9 A giant lion -- nodding to one of Coco Chanel's signatures -- watched over the label's fall/winter 2010-2011 haute couture show in the Grand Palais. Paris, July 6, 2010.

Photo 4 of 9 For the Chanel fall/winter 2015-2016 haute couture show, Karl Lagerfeld transported the fashion world into a casino, with models walking amid roulette and cards tables. Paris, July 7, 2015.

Photo 5 of 9 Karl Lagerfeld once again took inspiration from nature -- exotic flora, more precisely -- for the Chanel spring/summer 2015 haute couture show. Paris, January 27, 2015.

Photo 6 of 9 Although you wouldn't believe it from the photo, Chanel's spring/summer 2013 haute couture show did take place in the Grand Palais. The Parisian exhibition space was transformed into an enchanted forest for the occasion. Paris, January 22, 2013.

Photo 7 of 9 Last season, for the spring/summer 2018 haute couture show, Chanel showed its collection in a decor inspired by a formal garden. Paris, January 23, 2018

Photo 8 of 9 The catwalk was turned into a derelict, almost post-apocalyptic theater for Chanel's fall/winter 2013-2014 haute couture show, contrasting with the collection's futuristic pieces. Paris, July 2, 2013.

Photo 9 of 9 Karl Lagerfeld celebrated Paris by building a replica Eiffel Tower in the middle of the Grand Palais for the Chanel fall/winter 2017-2018 haute couture show. Paris, July 4, 2017.

Tatler Asia

In Pictures: Chanel's Most Spectacular Haute Couture Shows