1. Chanel Fall 2014 Ready-to-Wear

Chanel has gained quite a reputation for putting together some jaw-dropping fashion show sets. In the past, we’ve seen windmills, larger-than-life globes, and epic crystal creations decorate the runways. More recently, we saw Karl Lagerfeld unveil a Chanel supermarket that acted as the backdrop to the designer label’s Fall 2014 collection. Models strutted down the aisles, which were packed with Chanel-branded products. You can visit the official Chanel website to see more of their recent collections.

2. Louis Vuitton Fall 2012 Ready-to-Wear

Louis Vuitton also knows what it takes to create a fashion spectacle. For the Fall 2012 ready-to-wear collection, a real train, built just for the occasion, pulled into the Cour Carrée at the Louvre where the show was taking place. Models walked out of the train, wearing the latest Louis Vuitton collection, and were accompanied by porters who also carried Louis Vuitton luggage. Talk about making an entrance!

3. Christian Dior Fall 2005 Couture

Floral motifs have long played a role in the Dior brand, but for the Fall 2005 couture collection, the runway took on a darker and more mysterious atmosphere. John Galliano’s vision consisted of a cobweb-covered garden complete with broken statues and overgrown greenery. It was the perfect setting for the almost ghostly and gothic creations that he sent the models down the runway in. This era of Dior remains one of the most talked-about in fashion history.

4. Pierre Cardin Spring 2008 Ready-to-Wear

Sometimes nature provides the best backdrops. Pierre Cardin proved this to be true by using the Gobi Desert in China as a backdrop to showcase their spring/summer 2008 collection. The collection’s clean, minimal designs stood out against the epic backdrop of desert sand dunes, much like the contrast seen in some iconic fashion moments over the years.

5. Fendi Spring 2008 Ready-to-Wear

Fendi made history when it hosted a runway show on the Great Wall of China. 88 models walked down a stretch of the Great Wall, showcasing the label’s spring/summer 2008 collection. Guests were seated down the sides of the runway, lining the edges of the Great Wall. This remains one of the most ambitious Fendi events ever staged.

6. Marc Jacobs Fall 2012 Ready-to-Wear

For his Fall 2012 show, Marc Jacobs enlisted his friend Rachel Feinstein to help come up with the set design. What transpired was a surreal backdrop that looked like crumbling ruins. What made the set even more interesting was that it was made mainly out of paper and wood. This show is often cited alongside other influential fashion designers for its creativity.

7. McQ Alexander McQueen Fall 2012 Ready-to-Wear

The set at the McQ Alexander McQueen Fall 2012 show resembled a hazy, wooded forest. A carpet of dried leaves decorated the runways which added to the autumnal atmosphere. This is quite something when you remember that collections are shown a season in advance and crunchy, dried leaves would have been quite rare at the time. Much like the Dior cobweb garden, this set relied heavily on atmospheric textures.

8. Chanel Fall 2010 Ready-to-Wear

One of the most ambitious feats that Chanel has achieved was importing a 265-tonne iceberg onto the runway of their fall 2010 ready-to-wear show. Yes, a real iceberg. The models donned plenty of clothing appropriate for Arctic conditions and as the show went on the iceberg melted, creating puddles that the models had to strut through. This was even more daring than the Chanel supermarket we mentioned earlier.

9. Givenchy Spring 2014 Ready-to-Wear

Guests probably weren’t expecting to see a car wreck when they arrived at Givenchy’s Spring 2014 runway show. The multi-vehicle pile-up, complete with smoke, sat at the center of a circular runway. The installation added a dangerous element to the show and complemented the darker feel of the collection. You can explore more modern looks on the Givenchy official site.

Sometimes we end up remembering the fashion show sets more than the clothes themselves. These are just a few larger-than-life sets that designers have used as a backdrop to their collections. Do you have any favorite fashion show sets?