More than ever, I've been thinking of fashion as a refreshing and enjoyable escape from real life. And nothing is as fun as scrolling through photos of extravagant, artful couture looks that practically belong in a museum. Luckily, it's officially couture week in Paris right now, with designers like Chanel and Valentino presenting spring 2021 collections. The settings might be more subdued than normal, but rest assured, the sumptuous outfits are anything but.

The Chanel show was a saccharine delight with frothy pink confections, diaphanous dresses, and all-around beautiful pieces.

Valentino, on the other hand, invested more into slinky metallic gowns with occasional pops of vibrant colors like turquoise and yellow. Giambattista Valli, Iris van Herpen, and Schiaparelli also outdid themselves this season, especially considering the many quarantine restrictions. Scroll down to see the most ethereal couture dresses from the new spring 2021 shows, and check back as we update throughout the week.