Models at the Paris Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2021 Photo: AFP

Paris Fashion Week wrapped up Tuesday after nine days of innovative experiments that showed how the industry is embracing technology and new approaches for a post-pandemic future. 

While many fashion houses stuck to online presentations, the biggest names such as Dior, Balenciaga and Stella McCartney - even Yves Saint Laurent, which had been first to quit live shows when the pandemic hit - got back to the catwalk. 

But new twists often reflected the lessons learned during lockdowns, and increasing environmental concerns. 

Among the most inventive runway shows in years came from Balenciaga, who fooled their own guests into becoming part of the spectacle. 

Arriving via a red carpet, they were unaware that the official models were walking among them until a big screen relayed their entrance and highlighted which outfits were part of the show.

The line between guest and model disappeared as it emerged that some of the celebrities had been on secret modeling duty, including racing driver Lewis Hamilton and actress Isabelle Huppert.