Fifty-one-year-old former model Inès de la Fressange returned to the runway this week in Paris, stealing the show at the Gaultier Spring/Summer 2009 haute couture collection.

Fressange made a name for herself in the 1980s when she became the first model to sign an exclusive contract with couture fashion house Chanel. The French beauty remained Karl Lagerfeld’s muse until a falling out in 1989. Post-runway, Fressange has remade herself as a businesswoman, designer and consultant for Jean-Paul Gaultier. This week, however, she stepped out from behind the scenes, bringing her joie de vivre to the fashion set during Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week.

Models “are not just 14-year-olds,” said Mr. Gaultier. “There are no [age] barriers to beauty.” We couldn’t agree more, and we applaud the design legend for proving this fact to the masses. Though Gaultier hasn’t always done right in our book (embroidered satin hoodie with embroidered tiger, anyone?), this time we’re wowed by his taste, style and class … and the collection wasn’t bad either!

Is this the start of Inès’s full-time runway return? It’s unlikely. “For me it was like a Sunday,” said Fressange. “This is not my job anymore.” Le sigh.