Latest highlights from Paris Fashion Week

The month-long global fashion frenzy is nearing its end, with the last of the big four fashion weeks held in Paris. Fashionistas descended on the French capital this week to check out what the "city of lights" had to offer.

Keen to see and be seen, shows by legendary labels such as Chanel, Dior, Saint Laurent, Givenchy and Valentino are sure to draw a host of fashionable front-row fixtures.

"Everybody is tired, but it's just so glorious, you can't help but enjoy it," Hannah Almassi, fashion editor at Grazia, told CNBC. "It's drama, it's costume," she said. But most of all: "It's dreamy."

Take a look at the "dreamy" creations the French fashion houses have in store for Spring/Summer 2014.

By CNBC'S Alice Tidey.

"This collection is dedicated to the women who inspire me and to the showgirl in all of us," stated Marc Jacobs, as the audience was treated to an all-black show, full of sheer fabrics and Swan-inspired head-pieces. But Louis Vuitton addicts will have instantly noticed that the show featured décor elements already used in the designer's past shows, as if to reminisce on the Italian's time at the helm. A quirk that was quickly explained as shortly after Jacobs took his bow, it was announced that it would be his last one for the label, as he prepares to fully commit to his own brand and a possible IPO.

Inspired by the painter, Mondrian, Sarah Burton's new collection for Alexander McQueen is full of colors, shapes and volumes. The use of helmets and feathers give models an air of modern tribal warriors.

"The collection is a journey amidst elements borrowed from imaginary ethnic groups," explained the fashion house in its show notes. Full of baroque, middle-eastern references and rich colors, the show confirmed the two designers' taste for opulence and regality as necklines remain high and arms are covered.

Karl Lagerfeld's colourful and graphic designs were right at home on Chanel's catwalk in the historic Grand Palais museum. Tweed remained the fabric of choice, but the unusual colors and prints added a touch of eccentricity. Clothing was not the only attention-grabber, however, as the models' rainbow makeup sent many fashionistas atwitter...

Yves Saint Laurent's spirit could certainly be seen in the designs of creative director Hedi Slimane this year in Paris. Despite causing upheaval when he joined the legendary fashion house, Slimane stayed true to its history with this collection, but added up-to-date touches with leather, short skirts and structured shoulders.

Lebanon-born Elie Saab enchanted audiences with his colorful creations, with coral and emerald green flower prints and embroidery leading the way.

Never stray from a winning formula: Stella McCartney won over the crowd with her casual brand of sportswear chic at Paris Fashion Week. Colors remain muted but she injected a touch of playfulness by layering sheer fabrics. As usual, the show was a star-studded event both on and off the catwalk, with McCartney Senior occupying his customary front row seat.

Ever wondered what a fusion between Japanese and African traditional dress might look like? Well, no need -- Riccardo Tisci, Givenchy's designer, decided to create one. The kimono was reinvented at his show, with layering cleverly rethought to emulate tribal costume.

The enfant terrible of French fashion has yet to lose his touch, and kept a firm rock edge to his show at Paris Fashion Week. Full of leather and seemingly inspired by Grease, Jean-Paul Gaultier's collection remained true to his unofficial motto: challenge conformity with unusual shapes and cuts.

Isabel Marant remained loyal to her boho trademark style, but updated it with floating details. The resulting outfits were both urban and casually sexy - a look that many will be able to emulate for a fraction of the price when the designer's capsule collection for H&M hits the shops.

Raf Simons, the Belgian designer who has been head of the iconic French house since 2012,brought colorful, eccentric touches to the label's classics. Flowers remained an inspiration, but the prints were sharper and livelier, and clever layering with tailored pieces created a thoroughly modern look.

In Paris, Roland Mouret stuck to what he does best: figure-hugging dresses. But the designer said his inspiration - the gardens of the Palais Royal and its marble pillars - prompted him to use a lot more color than he might usually.

Olivier Rousteing, who has been Balmain's designer for the past three years, threw the adage "less is more" out the window with his new collection, which saw the label's trademark ultra-feminine look mixed with more masculine lines. More than a simple catwalk show,this was a defile of colors and fabrics (from denim to lurex to embroidery), displayed by the world's best-known models, including Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Georgia May Jagger.

Lanvin reaffirmed its love affair with the little black dress at Paris Fashion Week, but Albert Elbaz, who has led the house for 10 years, also introduced some colourful, metallic touches. However, despite the impressive display, many remained baffled by one of the new bags on show, which was inspired by a…bin bag.

Critics lauded Alexander Wang's second collection for Balenciaga as the perfect blend of the iconic label's history, and Wang's style of relaxed chic and sportwear.

"I wanted to start with the archives, an homage, but start to really put my stamp on it this season," Wang explained after the show.

Rochas stayed close to its trademark look, with pastel colors, voluminous skirts and a touch of nostalgia marking the catwalk. Since Wednesday's show, Rochas has announced that Italian Marco Zanini, the creative director, is leaving the label after five years at its helm.

Christophe Lemaire has built his brand on the idea that clothes should be "timeless and adaptable", with comfort a key requirement. Lemaire's use of color is always subdued and at Paris Fashion week he created pure silhouettes with a sport-chic twist. He honed his skills for six years at Lacoste, where he was artistic director.

Don't be fooled by his age – 23-year-old Simon Porte-Jacquemus's designs have already acquired a large following, with over 30 boutiques worldwide selling his collections. He favors "simple" materials such as wool and cotton, and in an interview with Le Point magazine described his collection as "a girl that goes on holidays to la Grande Motte (a seaside resort on the French Riviera), falls in love and sells ice creams".

After stints at Michael Kors, Lanvin and Cacharel, Cedric Charlier created his own label in 2012, and has since confirmed his preference for clean lines and sobriety. His color palette remained very restrained at Paris Fashion Week, with a marked preference for navy blue, with touches of black, red and white.

Christine Phung is no newbie to the catwalk, having previously worked for Dior Children, Vanessa Bruno and See By Chloé. But winning the "first collections" prize at France's annual fashion awards meant Les Galleries Lafayette, a leading Parisian department store, allowed her to use its roof as catwalk venue for Paris Fashion Week. The Eiffel Tower in the background was thrown in for free.