Paris Fashion Week final show sees blind models strut their stuff on the catwalk

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The second ever Blind Fashion Show closed out Paris Fashion Week
Fully blind and partially-sighted women took to the catwalk
Some used a rope line to guide them, others didn't need it
Created by French Algerian entrepreneur Myriam Chalek

Published: 17:08 EST, 5 October 2016 | Updated: 02:24 EST, 6 October 2016

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After five days of style, front row drama and backstage excitement, Paris Fashion Week has drawn to a close with the Blind Fashion Show.

In the annual event models who are both partially-sighted or fully blind show off stunning gowns on the catwalk using a rope-line to guide them.

Created by French entrepreneur Myriam Chalek, the show aims to bring awareness to blindness causes and empower all women.

A model struts her stuff down the catwalk in an extravagant white silk gown and neck piece

Another visually impaired participant showed off a look including an embroidered bodice, shoulder pieces, sheer skirt and pom pom detail

A model was snapped rehearsing before the show by walking the length of the catwalk while holding on to the rope line

A woman beams as she shows off a diaphanous white and gold gown

A man wearing an eye mask ensuring that his sight is obscured joins the models on the catwalk

Tonight's event which followed a day of shows including by Louis Vuitton and Miu Miu, is only the second in its history after it launched last year in New York.

The organisers of The Blind Fashion show are on a mission to educate people about visual impairment.

Many people think that being blind means having no vision at all but it encompasses a range of conditions including retinitis pigmentosa, albinism, glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy.

One of models dons her outfit - and heels - to practise her walk while letting the fish wire guide her during rehearsal

Women with visual impairment of varying severities are guided backstage during the preparation for the show

Two models wait to be called into the next phase of preparation before strutting on the runway

The calm before the storm: One model is plugged into her smartphone as she gets ready

Ms Chalek has said before of the shows, 'We're opening people's minds, opening people's hearts.'

The founder, who hit the headlines after organising the first dwarf fashion show at New York Fashion Week, wants to redefine the standards of beauty.

'You know they are like you and I, they have lives, they go to work, they go to school, they have goals, they have dreams that they want to achieve,' she said, before adding, 'I guess the only difference is that they believe in themselves more than we do.'

A woman shows off her model walk during rehearsals attempting to walk without holding on to her rope line

Wearing a stunning pewter skirt with a black bodice and layered metal necklace, the woman is guided by a friend

A blind model is seen untangling a rope of pom poms attached to her outfit as she waits backstage before the show starts

The women modelling in the show made it down the runway without use of canes or dogs, instead a fish wire running alongside the catwalk ensured they could strut with confidence.

Ms Chalek said: 'There is so much discrimination in the fashion and the modelling industry.

'[Fashion] is not about the person who is wearing the garment; it’s about the garment. If you’re able to walk the runway and showcase the outfit, then you should be a model.'