PARIS - Luxury labels Christian Dior and Giorgio Armani fought for the hearts and minds of A-list actresses in Paris with glittering haute couture presentations of red carpet gowns.

Helen Mirren, Kerry Washington, Liv Tyler and Eva Mendes were just some of the celebrities who descended on the French capital Monday for the first of three days of autumn-winter couture displays.

The Dior show should make even the notoriously icy U.S. Vogue editor Anna Wintour crack a smile.

British designer John Galliano delivered an ode to the magazine with his retro-flavored collection, and he injected just enough sauciness to make it perfectly relevant for the 21st century.

Cinch-waisted jackets with extravagant folds at the waist were paired with translucent skirts, while evening gowns came in cascades of frosted tulle glistening with silver sequins.

The looks were inspired by model Lisa Fonssagrives, who married photographer Irving Penn in 1950. Together, they produced some of Vogue's most memorable images.

Guests included singer Janet Jackson, who said she was busy preparing for the launch of her own line of lingerie later this year.

"They're classic. There are some things that have a vintage feel to them," she told The Associated Press.