SEE PICS: Chanel's Shanghai Fantasy Spectacle

This week's Chanel 2010 pre-fall show was as spectacular as ever, taking place against a beautiful backdrop of the neon-lit Shanghai night sky

Karl Lagerfeld once again exceeded all expectations, producing a simply spectacular Chanel pre-fall 2010 show.

The collection, entitled Paris Shanghai, was a fusion of East-meets-West, and inspired by all things oriental - including the Terracotta Army, romantic Chinese cinema and the opulence of the imperial court.

SEE THE COMPLETE PRE-FALL COLLECTION HERE!

The models travelled from all over the world to take part in the Shanghai-based show, which was set on an 85 metre-long barge on the Huangpu river, with the city's neon-lit skyscrapers creating a fantastical backdrop. 

The time-honoured monochrome colour palette was infused with bright bursts of cherry red and electric blue, while the customary tweed two-pieces were interspersed with heavily-embellished tunics, kimono-style patterned dresses and traditional Chinese conical hats.

As a prelude to the show, Karl wrote and directed a mini-movie, entitled Paris Shanghai, A Fantasy - which tells the story of Coco Chanel's imagined voyage to China. 

What do you think of the East-meets-West Chanel Pre-Fall 2010 collection? Let us know your thoughts in the comments box below.

SEE THE COMPLTETE CHANEL PRE-FALL 2010 COLLECTION HERE

SEE THE COMPLETE CHANEL SPRING/SUMMER 2010 COLLECTION HERE