London, Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks Recap

*A show-goer embraces the cold weather in a playful, pastel frock; image vi*

With each city boasting their own individual flair, the European component of Fashion Week–from its street style to its runway trends–never fails to bring something new and interesting to the discussion. Keep scrolling for quick recaps on London, Milan and Paris' defining moments and if you need a refresher on this season's NYFW or MODA's own turn on the runway, we've got you covered.

1 - Alexander McQueen's constellated collection

Sarah Burton had very big shoes to fill when she assumed the coveted role of creative director at Alexander McQueen almost six years ago. Luckily for fashion fanatics around the globe, Burton has never failed to disappoint and this season was no exception. Models decked out in ethereal gowns glided down the Fall 2016 ready to wear runway, each piece a testament to Burton's romantic and fantastical vision for the fashion house. Some pieces featured intricately detailed constellations of stars and planets, while others emphasized embroidered flora and fauna, antique timepieces, or the silvery outline of a unicorn. Models donned elaborate hairpieces to complete the collection.

2 - The #BalmainArmy takes center stage

Often considered the voice of a new fashion generation, Olivier Rousteing has transformed Balmain into a fashion powerhouse. Rousteing's looks dominate magazine covers, the red carpet and celebrity street style closets, and have become synonymous with the sexy, modern woman. One only has to refer to his muses (and biggest fans) Naomi Campbell, Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid for evidence of his social and artistic impact. This season's collection was an extension of Rousteing's signature sultry aesthetic: thigh high suede boots, tasseled mini-skirts and thick crystal chokers were just some of the standouts, and Rousteing's reliance on a pastel pinks and powdery blues was a unique choice for a fall/winter collection.

3 - Chanel returns to its roots

Sometimes less really is more. This season, Lagerfeld abandoned his tendency towards more elaborate presentations (think Chanel themed airports, grocery stores, feminist protests, etc.) for a simplified set that allowed attendees to really hone in on the detailing and artistry of each piece in the collection. The label's signature tweed two-pieces were modified with fringe or pearl hemlines and came in a beautiful range of deep navy, pristine white, rustic maroon and airy pink.

4 - Christian Dior's hall of mirrors

One of the first collections to debut in the aftermath of Raf Simons' recent departure from the brand, Dior's most recent presentation was an elegant and simplified testament to the fashion house's status as an arbiter of French style. Models flitted by in off the shoulder numbers and pieces that featured stylistically rendered floral motifs, offset by jet black lipstick and bold lashes. The repeated use of mirrors that lined both the interior and exterior of the venue created an ad infinitum effect that only magnified the arrival of this new vision for the label.

5 - Fit for a princess: Dolce and Gabbana's romantic ode to storytelling

Despite criticisms that the fashion house often churns out reiterations of its previous designs and silhouettes, it's impossible to deny how fun it must be to wear a Dolce and Gabbana sparkly frock, or rose embroidered crop top with matching shorts. Against the backdrop of a glittering, quaint array of antique miscellanea, including a stationary horse-drawn carriage and a giant storybook, a seemingly endless stream of velvet party dresses, bedazzled heels and playful hairpieces emerged from behind the massive gilded gates that framed the runway.

6 - Fendi turns up the texture

Rustic oranges, sky blues and deep teals defined Karl Lagerfeld's eclectic vision for Fendi's fall/winter collection. Leather was creatively reimagined in delicate, multi-colored layered ruffles that adorned handbags, thigh-high boots, chokers and cuffs. Fur was also utilized in the form of collars, scarves, shrugs and at times, entire bags. The show was a definite standout for Milan's Fashion Week, and the true highlights of the collection–the varied and ingenious accessories–will undoubtedly dominate next fashion month's street style scene.

7 - Versace, Versace!

One often equates sultriness and edge with Donatella Versace's creative leadership and this season was no different. Versace's badass cast of models stomped down the runway in body hugging numbers that featured interlinking chains in the place of dress straps, strategically placed panels of sinuous, neon detailing and classically draped fabric that offset the otherwise modern and youthful silhouettes. The thin, black headbands that encircled each model's otherwise undone hair is sure to be one of next seasons's biggest hair trends.

8 - Bunheads at Valentino

Romanticism and extensive attention to detail reigned supreme at Valentino's latest presentation. Layered tulle skirts in a variety of pastels, shimmery swaths of detailing and embroidery, and the occasional use of bright red or deep evergreen gave the collection a theatric feel. Creative directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli undoubtedly found their most recent inspiration in modern dance, with the collection's presentation accompanied by a live piano performance featuring works by John Cage and Philip Glass.

9 - Mink, monotone and motifs at Gucci

Alessandro Michele has captivated fashion audiences with his legendary reboot of the Gucci brand. This season, an array of bright colors–turquoise, periwinkle, chartreuse, canary yellow–defined the quirky, offbeat collection. Intertwining snakes, sequined goldfish and birds of paradise were featured on fur coats, brocade pantsuits and everything in between, and a nod to Orientalism and 70's style helping to create an underlying sense of continuity.

10 - Ashish's afro chic

Ashish's rainbow of afros and sparkly minidresses dominated Fashion Month social media accounts. A refreshingly diverse cast of models sashayed down the runway in playful, shimmery looks whose 3D detailing and subtle ombre effect only added to the presentation's dreamy atmosphere. One only has to envision themselves dancing along to the soundtrack of Saturday Night Fever in any one of these statement making frocks to appreciate the collection's aesthetic vision.