Corrie Nielsen kicks off PFW with beehive hair and Mad-Men styled skirts

Nine days of Paris fashion got off to a retro start Tuesday with a 1960s-inspired

collection from Corrie Nielsen featuring beehive hair and Mad Men-style looks with futuristic, voluminous twists.

Citing 1960s icons Brigitte Bardot and Jane Birkin as influences, Nielsen dedicated the collection to "the women of the 1960s who shaped and influenced the world as we see it," including her late mother. London-based Nielsen said her "Single Girl" ready-to-wear collection was all about a "strong independent and active woman, whilst remaining true to her simultaneous delicacy, adolescence and slenderness".

Plunging hood-like backs, and oversized tops dominated her spring/summer 2015 collection in a palette of off-white, cream, beige, gold and dark brown. Among the less wearable looks was an entirely transparent dress with nothing more to it than the skimpiest of knickers and a series of circular padded strips in place of the skirt.

The show was among the first of over 90 due to be held over the next nine days, the highlight of which will be Jean Paul Gaultier's last ready-to-wear show before he stops to concentrate on couture. Speaking backstage, Nielsen told reporters she had "huge respect" for the flamboyant designer and would be very sad to see him go.

"He's had an incredible career. I mean incredible. He's been a huge inspiration to myself and I wish him all the luck," she said. The 62-year-old showman of the catwalks is bowing out of ready-to-wear after nearly 40 years. The designer has said the decision was taken after an "in-depth assessment" of his eponymous fashion house's future with Spanish fragrance and fashion group Puig, which has a majority stake.

Gaultier's last show will be held on Saturday and is the must-have ticket of the collections. (Helen Rowe, AFP)