
An American designer's fashion show featuring women wearing their fellow models like backpacks has put it in the running for the title of most bizarre ever.

Rick Owens - who has previously sent men down the catwalk in smocks with gaping holes in the crotch area - decided to showcase his utilitarian styles by strapping women in harnesses and having the other models carry them, often with their bottoms hovering uncomfortably close to their chins.

It was the highlight of series of shows that has been crowned the weirdest day at Paris Fashion Week, as Belgian label A.F Vandevorst sent models down the catwalk in black motorcycle helmets and sinister knitted masks.

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Models in American designer Rick Owens' show balanced precariously on the shoulders of fellow runway stars

Rick Owens, 52, who is no stranger to including a message in his show, said his aim was to represent the strength and power of womanhood

US designer Rick Owens harnessed models to one another, with one hanging upside down in front of - or in some cases behind - the other

The Rick Owen's show certainly looked uncomfortable, as women hung upside down in front of and, in some cases, behind the other.

The models were had the uncertain honour of doing the heavy lifting were outfitted in sturdy gladiator sandals and biker boots and managed to maintain straight faces even with thighs balanced on their shoulders, or another woman's bikini line just inches from their face.

While it shocked the fashion crowd, the 52-year-old, who is no stranger to including a message in his show, said it was to represent the strength and power of womanhood.

In a statement released after the presentation, he explained that the collection was called Cyclops.

The Cyclops, he wrote, is 'a mythological creature, formidable with focused vision.

'Who among us wouldn’t appreciate that kind of description? In the spring men’s collection, which shares the same name, that focused vision was propulsive and aggressive.

A model appears harnessed onto another using the detailing on her dress at the Rick Owens presentation (left), while a biker-boot wearing beauty struts her stuff while another hangs from her back in little more than a bikini and footwear

In a statement released after the presentation, Rick Owens explained that the collection was called Cyclops

The sandal-clad model heaving another on her back appears to have several limbs - including two legs protruding from her neck - in the bizarre presentation

'When applied to women, I see that focused vision being more about nourishment, sisterhood, motherhood, and regeneration.

'Women raising women, women becoming women and women supporting women. The world of women I know little about and can only attempt to amuse in my own small way.'

However, at A.F Vandevorst, it may have been all about women's bodies, but their faces - covered by helmets and balaclavas - were definitely not the show's focus.

One model turned heads in an all-in-one black crocheted jumpsuit. The attention-grabbing outfit featured a knitted mask with studs in the shape of a glittering pair of lips.

This statement look was completed with a pair of biker boots and a raincoat tied around the model's waist.

Belgian label A.F Vandevorst chose the bizarre headgear to feature in its gothic-inspired spring/summer 2016 collection

Models took to the catwalk at Paris Fashion Week on Thursday in motorcycle helmets and vision-restricting masks

Another head-turning look saw a model sport a motorcycle helmet, white wide-knit jumper and thigh-high leather boots with buckle-detailing along the side.

Adding a pop of colour into the otherwise vampy monochrome palette, one helmet-clad model showcased a kimono-style wrap dress that featured a muted red, purple, green and blue pattern.

Hinting that the presentation would be a nod to gothic bikers before it began, models caused a scene by arriving on the back of vintage motorcycles.

Adding a pop of colour into the otherwise vampy monochrome palette, one helmet-clad model showcased a kimono-style wrap dress, pictured left, while another wore a strappy v-neck grey slip dress with a snakeskin print, right

Hinting that the presentation would be a nod to gothic bikers before it began, models caused a scene by arriving on the back of vintage motorcycles

While A.F Vandevorst's designs clearly made an impact, they appeared more suited to darker, cooler months, rather than the carefree, playfulness usually associated with spring/summer garments.

Belgian husband-wife team An Vandevorst and Filip Arickx launched their first collection in Paris in 1998 after graduating from the Fashion School of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp.

They launched a shoe collection in 2003 and naturally segued into a lingerie line three years later.

A model takes to the runway in a creased blazer-like jacket and vision-restricting mesh mask

The fashion brand - best known for their contrasting fabrics, textures and colours - appeared to ensure all focus was on their latest garments and not on the models' beauty

True to form, models turned heads in sheer dresses hidden underneath floor-length leather coats and khaki military-style jackets

The label is best known for their contrasting fabrics, textures and colours.

The pair often layer silky lingerie-inspired pieces with tailored jackets, reworked white cotton button-downs, or dramatic capes.

True to form, models turned heads in sheer dresses hidden underneath floor-length leather coats, khaki military-style jackets and creased white blazer-like bikers.

While A.F Vandevorst's designs clearly made an impact, they were not typical spring/summer garments

A model makes her way into the Paris Fashion Week presentation after arriving on a motorcycle

One model turned heads in an all-in-one black crocheted jumpsuit. The attention-grabbing outfit featured a knitted mask with studs in the shape of a pair of lips

One helmet-clad model at A.F Vandevorst stormed the runways in a white wide-knit jumper and thigh-high leather boots with buckle-detailing along the side

Face-hiding masks were a key theme in the presentation with many model's identity being hidden