Master Craftsmen unveil a show of sparkling decadence in Rome.

This week the Colosseum and the ruins of the Fori Imperiali in Rome were turned into stunning outdoor catwalks in honour of the small but strikingly talented group of craftsmen working in Rome.

Here are some of the most remarkable dresses that were seen on models as they paraded down the picturesque setting:

Lorenzo Riva did not shy away from exuberant patterns and buoyant colours. Adornments were also neatly dispersed on cocktail dresses using classic flourishes like oversized bows, fan trimming, lavish beading and floral geometry.

Grimaldi Giardina also used the city as an inspiration, draping his models with the finest silks and gold crowns, reminiscent of imperial noblewomen who re-enacted an ancient fertility ritual around the crumbling statues at the Mercati di Traiano.

The house of Gattinoni peered through a Byzantine telescope for its autumn/winter 2009-10 cosmic theme, including prints of orbits, asteroids and celestial bodies around the beautiful women's curves.

Abed Mahfouz continued the running theme of stars, goddesses showering the night sky with megawatt lights as superb models shimmied down a red carpet in cocoons of mousseline, organza, and Baroque embroidery.

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Less well known than Parisians for their flamboyant tastes but just as talented in the craft and detail department, the international cast of Italian couture proved just how capable they were of rocking the show.

£50 to be photographed by one of the world's most famous photographers.

Selma Blair

Michael Jackson

Claudia Schiffer

Jude Law

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Rankin is one of the world's most renowned photographers and his intimate and original portraits of celebrities have earned him an enviable reputation. From pictures of Justin Timberlake dressed as a cowboy and Hugh Grant slouching next to naked mannequins to the Queen smiling coyly, he's captured them all. From the 31st July to the 18th September, the Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane will host an exhibition featuring a wide range of his works to date from beauty, erotica, celebrity, charity and commercial images.

The exception to this exhibition is an ongoing interactive concept, which requires unique audience participation. He has decided to choose 1000 individuals, whose outlandish style, fascinating character or curious life stories he considers exceptional and purely British. The chosen applicants will have the opportunity to be photographed by the artist himself in 15 minutes in a live process as the exhibition goes on. The chosen candidate arrives on site, gets dolled up, made up, captured by the photographer and within 15 minutes has their picture hanging on the wall. Before all this, the individual sends in a picture, explaining why they think they have the qualities desired by Rankin to be shot. A fee of £50 is charged, of which 100% goes to Oxfam.

The photographer has chosen to do this as a commentary on the increasing fabrication of beauty and glamour in our celebrity fanatic society. His fascination for the transformation of a normal individual into an object of worship is what he hopes to portray in this 15 minute process, no doubt making allusions to Warhol's 15 minutes of fame.

The portraits produced on the day will be hung as part of an ever-changing exhibition and uploaded online to the Rankin Live! website. If you think you have what it takes to be photographed by the revered photographer, you can apply online at rankinlive@rankin.co.uk. If you're at all suspicious, Kate Moss said of the photographer "You can trust him. I trust him". Well if you say so Kate...