There's no one who will go such extravagances for a mid-season show but Karl Lagerfeld--this Pre-Fall 2009 he showed his collection for Chanel in Moscow to a star-studded audience. Lagerfeld offered up the most extravagant of frocks and suits, in luxe fabrics with rich embroidery. What makes this an easier pill to swallow is that the collection is actually part of Chanel's métiers d'art collection. Launched by Lagerfeld in 2002, the line is meant to demonstrate the talents of the house ateliers. WWD called it "a trend to hyper-luxury and fanning pre-collection mania". Which is why, to some, it could just be seen as couture clothing with a ready-to-wear label.

Photos by Dominique Maitre/WWD. To see the Chanel Spring 09 collection click here.