For most mere mortals Haute Couture provides simply a spectacle of beautiful dresses to gasp overand red carpet outfits to dissect.But for some it"s a chance to pick out something extra special to wear.In the market for a wedding dress with a 3 metre train perhaps?Ralph & Russo can deliver.How about an Oscar appropriate dress?Well we can only assume that"s whatBritish actress Charlotte Rampling was on the hunt for when she took her place on the front row at theGiorgio Armani???s Priv?? show in Paris this afternoon.

Rampling is certainly in the market for red carpet-worthy attire; next month she will attend the Oscars in Los Angeles, having been nominated for the best actress award in tense British drama45 Years.

At 69, Rampling is one of the oldest actresses ever to be nominated(the oldest is French actress Emmanuelle Riva, who was 85 when nominated in 2013).She is pitted against Cate Blanchett (for her role in Carol, which earned her a Golden Globe earlier this month), Brie Larson (Room), Jennifer Lawrence (Joy) and Saoirse Ronan (Brooklyn).

Our fashion director on the front row, Lisa Armstrong, reported that the dresses in Armani"s collection were "narrow and tiered or full skirted; strapless with contrasting textures or one shouldered??? came in various shades of mauve.This is a tricky colour to get right and can veer into Strictly Come Dancing territory, but at its best, bisected by black, it can look icilyelegant."

So, was Rampling window-shopping for a suitable frock?If she was, here???s a dresswe???d like to draw her attention to:

Fashion flashback:Charlotte Rampling