Asian A-list stars take their seat on fashion's front row

Arriving at a Christian Dior fashion show in Paris surrounded by a gaggle of photographers and minders, Korean star Gianna Jun quickly eclipsed the already seated Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence.

One of the best known faces in Asia following a string of box office smashes, the actress is one of an elite group of bankable names attracting the attention of the fashion world.

Designers have long looked to Hollywood stars to help sell their collections - but as the spending power of consumers in countries such as China and South Korea grows, it's now the turn of Asia's A-listers.

Taiwanese model and actress Lin Chi-ling was also in Paris for the couture shows where she was given the red carpet treatment at Karl Lagerfeld's Chanel show.

At a time when couture houses are increasingly winning new customers in countries from China to Singapore, Lagerfeld underscored the East's importance with a show contrasting the "crumbling" old world with a futuristic imaginary Asian city.

Raf Simons' multicultural show for Christian Dior, meanwhile, was also a clear pitch to customers in new markets.