The fashion briefing: Paris fashion week

Look of the week Dries Van Noten’s show is always a masterclass in styling – and his ­latest collection was no exception. Just look at this glorious ensemble of lapel-less jacket (that’s a micro trend) in a wondrous blue, worn with a simple belt, looped and left hanging like a piece of jewellery. Then there’s the skirt, a clever mash of three fabrics – there was a lot of texture blocking in this show – which sits just around the knee, making it part of the new longer-length trend. Extra marks for the sneaky peek of socks and the lovely, loose hair. Photograph: Reuters It's not just for grownups Stella McCartney unveils her latest ­collection for women today in Paris. Meanwhile, her first full collection of kids fashion has gone live online and includes this floral coat with detachable hood, which packs away into a bag. There are also shrunken versions of Stella denim, alongside jolly animal and bird prints. McCartney says: “The idea was to make clothes kids will enjoy . . . to allow girls to be girly and pretty, but still have fun and mix in some tomboy unisex pieces.” Job well done. Coat, £78, stellamccartneykids.com Photograph: PR Splurge Balenciaga is still one of Paris fashion week’s coolest labels. The autumn/winter 2011 show, unveiled last week, was another exercise in sculptural ­futurism and clothes that aren’t ­necessarily that easy to wear, but are fantastic regardless. If you need a slice of the label now, then these rust shoes are pretty special. The suede front ­covers the foot but allows a peep of toe. Plus, they’re ideal for making a plain dress very “fashion” or giving crop trousers an elegant full stop. £465, brownsfashion.com Photograph: PR Shop alert! APC is one of those labels you can just rely on for simple, ­understated clothes with just the right soupçon of Frenchness. They’re quite the biz at Bretons and do a fine line in denim and knitwear, while their shoes, from moccasins to marvellous wedges, are always très popular. This week, they open the doors to a new store on east London’s increasingly buzzy Redchurch Street. Celebrate said news with a splash of gold horse medallion. €50, apc.fr Photograph: PR Catwalk eyes Forget big earrings or a bright-orange lip, Paris has been a smorgasbord of ­extreme eye decor. Lady Gaga and the models of Mugler sported makeup that flicked from two corners of each eye. Gareth Pugh had metallic or bright blue cut-out shapes surrounding his model’s eyes, while some of ­Balenciaga’s girls sported electric blue monobrows. If you’re in the market for a designer eyebag cover, go Pugh; if you can’t be bothered to pluck, ­channel Balenciaga. Simple. Photograph: Catwalking.com