In a world where we're increasingly becoming more used to fast fashion, it is nice to have a little break and venture into the world of couture once in a while. Whereas us students could probably not even afford a thread on the garments, there are others out there splashing £80,000 on a dress.
The clients of couture love the shows as it gives them an opportunity to actually wear their lavish garments, as for the most part the only people who have an occasion to wear these are huge award-show winners like the Oscars. Paris Couture is now becoming more of an event than ever, with parties being held in the designers houses, the clients can dress up as they please and not look out of place.
It seems that this idea of dressing up becoming a sparse occasion has taken it's toll on couture, which is less about ball-gowns now than it would have been 50 years ago. Whilst this might be disappointing, it really shows how times are changing and perhaps dress is becoming more casual. I have noticed it in my everyday life, it's quite rare to see a woman in heels.
Besides this, couture is still exciting and a wonderful event! Here is my round up of pieces:
Viktor & Rolf
After a 13-year absence from couture, Viktor & Rolf returned with a minimalist, all black collection. I absolutely adore the cut and the shapes of the fabric, proving that colour and embellishment is not everything.
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Valentino True to Valentino's design aesthetic, the garments were beautifully elegant, with high necks, rich fabrics, inspired by baroque and Medieval fashion, whilst also maintaining a sombre feel. |
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Jean Paul Gaultier
Gaultier's show was perhaps an even more extrovert version of himself, with leopard-print clad models and references to David Bowie in the structured garments - it was wild.
Elie Saab
Incredibly royal, rich and decadent colour palette, Elie Saab's collection was a perfect representation of his design aesthetic. Red-carpet-ready and simple by couture's standards.
Giorgio Armani Prive
Nude was the name of this collection, and it certainly delivered with it's pale creams, peaches and pearlescent tones with only a little black to break it up. The dresses were barely-there and sheer, with gorgeous glittering embellishments, highlighting the figures.
Chanel
Karl Lagerfeld gave us a look into the future with Chanel's couture collection. The silhouettes were rigid and the fabrics were mainly tweed with small hints of iridescence, and many of the looks included a patent hipster belt.
Giambattista Valli
This collection is certainly one for brides-to-be. The dresses were sublime, feminine and divine. Dotted with pretty florals, ruffles and wedgewood China-esque embellishments, there was still a slight rough edge to keep it fresh.
Christian Dior
This was Raf Simmons third instalment of couture since taking over Dior as creative director. The collection steered from it's French roots and became more multi-cultural, with African tribe references and Geisha girls. Despite this, the signature style of Dior remained throughout.
Schiaparelli
Christian Lacroix's eighteen outfit tribute to Schiaparelli steered away from her surrealist silhouettes to something a little more straightforward, yet still extravagant and almost overwhelming. It continued with the fashion-not-function design aesthetic and created a fusion between the two designers that worked beautifully.
Versace
Home to Naomi Campbell's comeback to the catwalk after 15 years, Donatella showed an incredibly sexy collection. The clothes were tight with a film noir feel to them, crossed with a rock n roll styling. There were bras on show and a kick of bling in true Donatella style.
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