Karl Lagerfeld took Chanel into new territory in his choice of design and show location Tuesday in Paris, as he took the fashion flock to a Left Bank lycée for the house's couture presentation.

Lagerfeld's big obsessions this season are pearls, brooches and rings.

He slipped toe rings - sometimes as many as four - onto various models, and covered their hands with golf-ball size chunky cluster rings. Round the waist hung multi-string pearl belts, and torrents of pearls swayed from their necks in dreamy ties.

His jackets were largely classical, except Karl used the same fabric to dexterously add flowers to the left shoulder.

But Lagerfeld broke new ground with a new silhouette composed of sheer silk pants worn under lace coat dresses and tunics.

The opening palette was pale blue, fuchsia and russet for day, and midnight blue and black at night.

Karl also brought out the best from Chanel's famous couture atelier, especially in some remarkable eveningwear at the finish.

One tunic coat looked like it was made of feathers, but closer inspection revealed that on top it was composed of beads that gradually morphed into silk feathers.

Another midnight blue column with transparent inserts and floor-dragging strands made for a sensational door opener.

For his finale, Lagerfeld sent out two brides, the first in a transparent dress with a frilly train and the second in a classic white bouclé pantsuit topped by a mini veil.

The pair wound around the corridors of the high school's two-tiered cloisters before descending to take their place in the courtyard. As the wickedly trim Lagerfeld to take his bow, all 39 models stood almost to attention. Class dismissed.

Chanel Fashion

Chanel Fashion

Chanel Fashion

Chanel Fashion

Chanel Fashion

Chanel Fashion

Chanel Fashion