Never a stranger to avant-garde runway creations, designer Jean Paul Gaultier debuted his Fall/ Winter 2013-14 Couture Collection last month to reveal tulle, leather, silk and over 1.8 million Swarovski crystals. The runway was filled with opposing juxtapositions, feminine models in lady-like pencil skirts and girls strutting down the catwalk in spiked gowns roaring like jaguars. Shaded in dark winter hues with pops of color, the season’s main feature of animal print and crystals were prominently displayed.

Inspired by a trip to Swarovski headquarters earlier in the year, Gultier procured 1,843,272 crystals and embroidered them to the majority of the collection. “Your inner light can shine bright thanks to Swarovski crystals,” the designer said. “Swarovski crystals forever.” Aside from prints and sparkle the collection was very structured, harsh jutting angles made softer by copious amounts of tulle. Most pieces were laden with ridiculously sized pockets; some were so large that one model continuously tossed flower petals on the runway from a seemingly infinite opening in her dress.

Set to a twisted version of Henry Mancini’s "Pink Panther Theme" the haute couture collection had mixed reviews, but left most people wondering if Gaultier’s reign as a French fashion leader was over.