Giambattista Valli Couture created quite excitement with his luscious ombre gowns at his recent Paris Haute Couture Show.
Our fabulous contributor, Monica, from Classy & Fabulous, followed Couture Week to the minute, and she has recapped her favorites for all of us below. It was an exceptionally exciting week and always one of my most favorite times in Fashion….it’s the Designer’s chance to step out and be their most creative and whimsical….it’s Fashion’s Show Time!
Armani Prive– Red, white and black, were the colors of the night for Armani Prive. The collection was full of the usual suspects of Armani’s couture collection, but this time Armani also included shorts, an appeal to the younger customer. Only Armani can manage to make a pair of shorts look so incredibly sophisticated and couture. His other signatures were his dots, his great coats, lots of tulle/illusion either in the garment or laying loosely with dots, on models’ heads.
Chanel Couture– Only Karl Lagerfeld could combine 2 extremes such as the inspirations of his Fall 2014 Couture collection. “Le Corbusier goes to Versailles” or the minimalist meets the opulents. The collections had the signature chanel elements but Lagerfeld was able to incorporate the beautiful structural angle iconic of Le Corbusier with beautiful rococo inspiring gold embroidery.
Christian Dior Couture– The biggest trend for this collection was in a way futuristic time travel. Raf Simons divided into 8 different groups that represented 8 different centuries. From very couture space suits, to incredibly delicate and beautiful ball gowns. Even though you could identify the time period that each group represented, the entire collection had a very modern feel to it. His goal was to bring the past and the future together and the news of the show was the wall of white orchids that was a back drop for all of the audience….giving an elegance unique to this show. (see image below)
Atelier Versace– Designer Donatella Versace kicked off Haute Couture Fashion week. The inspiration for her couture collection was the 50’s, but without loosing the signature sex appeal of Versace. Trends from the collection were round-shouldered, strategic cutouts, gold buckles and embellishments. A highlight look from the collection, seen in the thumbnails below: the final 2 gowns with a slit up the middle, revealing the black Swarovski crystal bodysuit. Our feature is her slinky white jumpsuit/gown with fringe, similar to the one J.Lo wore as she accompanied her friend Donatella on to the stage!
Elie Saab Couture– I have to be honest, I am a bit bias when it comes to Elie Saab couture. To me the show one of the best couture collections every time, and this season was not the exception. The collection felt elegant and opulent what a true couture show should feel like. And of course we cant forget about the signature wedding gown finale, always a show stopper!
Giambattista Valli Couture- “The secret of my girls is that they’re always eccentric, they don’t play it. They are.” Valli said before his show so it was not surprising to see the finale pastel gowns walk down the runway. But the collection for the most part had a fresh, summer air to it. Valli was inspired by the Alhambra gardens in Spain. The prints, floral and designs capture the gardens perfectly. Love the consistent hair treatment, the soft bow!
Maison Martin Margiela– Once again we see floral prints on a fall couture runway, proving that floral would be a great trend this fall. Maison Martin Margiela incorporated its signature avant-garde style to a more luxurious look. Oh and of course never forgetting it’s signature mask to finish the show.
Valentino Couture – Just like Raf Simons was inspired by futuristic time travel for Christian Dior Couture. Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli wanted to recreated an historic garment in to a more up to date version of itself. They chose a toga dress and from there it evolved in to many different modern variations of itself, from a beautiful white clean dress, to beautiful coats and even a sheer dress. Of course the impeccable and beautiful hand made details signature of Grazia Chiuri and Piccioli’s Valentino made the collection a piece of art.
Editor’s Note: Schiaparelli (I have been such a fan of the iconic Elsa Schiaparelli for many years and since this was only Mario Zanini’s second collection after his debut in January, he did not hold back! His goal, to fill the gap left by Christian Lacroix after shuttering his haute couture business….he believes, says Zanini that couture should be “flamboyant and prevocational.” He was definitely out there…..from a lilac gown he called Central Park that had hand painted rats, to the fab coral topcoat with ES monogram and rounded shoulders and of course, her signature, hot pink high waisted trouser to name just a few…..treat yourself and see this collection in it’s entirety on Style.com
Image Sources: Style.com/The Coveteur/Vogue/New York Magazine
Great review of the collections- and it was just like being there without the expense. Thanks Roz
Shirley Ezell
I am pleased that our Houston Fashion My Future Career Conference Grand Prize winner, Stephanie Ku, was a dresser for this fabulous show. Her comment was that it made her feel so short! She loved the opportunity.