Egypt rules the runway in Paris

Sophia Kokosalaki takes a note from John Galliano's book for her Paris runway show

Was Sophia Kokosalaki on the same boat which took John Galliano down the Nile earlier this year? We only ask as the designers not only shared the same venue for their Paris Fashion Week shows this week, but also similar inspirations.

Yes, Egypt could have a lot to answer for when it comes to next year's summer wardrobes.

However, while Galliano's Dior collection had a touch of the Eighties about it, Kokosalaki sought inspiration in a slightly earlier decade.

'I looked at ancient Egyptian costume, and there's something Sixties in there you see a lot of movies on Greek television,' she told Style.com. 'But, you know, it's always done in a young and ironic way.'

And while both designers used python-skin bodices, sheer flowing silk skirts and sculpted high, high heels, there were also plenty of differences on offer.

Where Galliano peppered his collection with subtle animal prints, Sophia daubed her designs with hieroglyphic-style patterns.

The fertility goddess pendants at Dior, too, were replaced on Sophia's runway with dangling swan earrings and snake-embossed gold cuffs.

And Sophia steered clear of Galliano's up-tempo pinks and yellows for a more ornate palette of gold, turquoise and burnt sienna.

However, whichever way you style it, we think we spy a serious contender for the spring/summer trends list.

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Report from Carla Bevan in Paris