Hollywood actress Jessica Alba was among the stars who attended the launch of the latest haute couture collection from Chanel in Paris.

The Karl Lagerfeld designed dresses, coats and boots included sequins and baubles and moved away from the traditional Chanel wool jackets and pearls.

Alba sat in the front row at the catwalk show, with other guests including model-turned actress Milla Jovich, and Gossip Girl stars Blake Lively and Leighton Meester.

Haute couture fashion involves highly expensive specialist techniques such as handmade lace and brocade.

Pieces can cost upwards of £60,000.

Lagerfeld explained what the collection was all about: "You know, the inspiration is in French tapestry and French porcelain, 18th century porcelain but in a modern shape on a modern body."