Fashion and the French capital have always gone hand in hand but nowhere so prominently than the city's Musee de la Mode et Du Textile.

Housed in Paris' famous Palais Galiera, the museum hosts regular exhibitions alongside its longstanding displays.

The collection includes some 16,000 costumes, 35,000 fashion accessories and 30,000 pieces of textile making it one of the most comprehensive clothes museums in the world.

Exhibits date from the flamboyant Regency period to modern day masterpieces and are constantly bolstered by donations from private collectors, manufacturers or designers.

The latter and their work also make up their own section of the museum, with catwalk innovators such as Paul Poiret, Madeleine Vionnet, Elsa Schiaparelli, and Christian Dior all catalogued.

The life and works of French fashion icon Yves Saint Laurent are also charted. The revered couturier died on June 1st 2008.