Claudia's return: A vision in chiffon

Schiffer's return to the catwalk comes just one year after she told an Italian newspaper she would never model again, "not even in Paris".

Although not seen in Dufour's range of hot-pants-style bikinis and 'monokinis', Schiffer stole the show.

The catwalk star kicked off Dufour's second collection for Balmain in a T-shirt bearing the company's logo.

Schiffer, one of the world's highest paid models, went on to don a variety of creations in pastel chiffons, liberally sprinkled with rhinestones.

In her time away from the fashion world Schiffer has been pursuing a career in acting.

Following cameos in 1994's Richie Rich and Robert Altman's catwalk satire Pr�t-�-Porter, she has taken on more demanding roles.

Schiffer has put modelling on hold to become an actress

She starred alongside Hollywood heavyweights Dennis Hopper and Matthew Modine in Abel Ferrara's 1997 film Blackout.

She has just completed Black and White, in which she shares the screen with Robert Downey Jr and Brooke Shields.

The model is currently working on a film project with Jeff Goldblum and Wild Wild West star Salma Hayek.

Despite wanting to be taken seriously as an actress, it is the break-up of Schiffer's relationship with magician David Copperfield which has made the headlines.

Newspapers have recently linked her to Green Shield Stamps heir Tim Jefferies.