Paris Couture Fashion Week, the epitome of style inspiration, has come to an end. Last week, Jan. 23 to Jan. 26, top couture designers graced the runways of Paris with shows illustrating relevance and creativity beyond imaginable. The clothes featured in these shows are certainly pieces of art, each with their own story to tell. Although most of us will never come close to having pieces like this in our closets, we can still dream and be inspired by these couture shows to set our personal fashions apart from the rest.

In every couture show, the designer’s personality was definitely evident. Alexis Mabille’s colorful, whimsical Alice in Wonderland-inspired show was childlike in terms of vision and when compared with the masters of couture such as Dior and Givenchy.

While Mabille’s models featured colored faces that matched their clothing and enormous flower hats, Dior’s models made even more of a statement with their old Hollywood, ‘50s feel. The show was quintessential Dior even without John Galliano. Bill Gaytten worked behind Galliano for 21 years, and it definitely showed in this couture show. Many of the pieces were sheer, exposing the inner-workings of the intricate garments, only adding to the mystery behind each piece.

Every show was gorgeous in its own way including Chanel’s classic tomboy silhouettes and Givenchy’s dark show that was reminiscent of a more elegant Lisbeth Salander from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. But Jean Paul Gaultier’s show paid homage to pop-culture more than any other show.

Every model that came down Gaultier’s runway was reminiscent of the late Amy Winehouse. With almost every element of her style represented including the small sized Fred Perry polos, beehive and heavy makeup, even from pictures it was evident that you could almost feel Amy in the room.

The models toward the end of the show were hidden behind different kinds of veils, most likely representing the mourning and celebration of an amazing musical artist of our time.

Although these designs aren’t necessarily ready-to-wear, there are elements of these designs that can definitely transition into your closet. Use these couture shows as a muse for your own style, and don’t let the winter weather stop you from looking your best.