Hey Guys!
So while most of us were busy ogling Haute Couture front row attendees, there was a lot (obviously) going on on the runway. French for ‘high sewing’, Haute Couture is an artisanal craft born in 19th century France comprised of exclusive, made-to-fit, exceedingly expensive, yet painstakingly detailed clothes. Most around the way girls cannot afford Haute Couture (a shirt can run you $1,000, a skirt, $10,000), but a dwindling number of houses still show to cater to their wealthy clientele, garner attention for the brand, allow designers to be crazy creative, and offer inspiration for their ready-to-wear collections (not to mention Forever 21 and H&M). In this fun piece in the Sun Sentinel, writer Rod Hagwood says, “Karl Lagerfeld introduced the catsuit on the couture catwalks. Jean Paul Gaultier first showed underwear as outerwear in the heady high fashion shows of the late ’80s.”
So with an eye keenly fixed on the catwalk, The Fashion Bomb will review a handful of the top shows, then predict what fashion and beauty trends you can take away.
Christian Dior:
My Fair Lady met modern minx in this equestrian themed show by John Galliano for Dior Couture. Ladies in nipped waist jackets and romantically embellished hats by milliner Stephen Jones opened the show in ensembles and stances reminiscent of scenes from early 20th century England. Galliano moved quickly from the early 1900’s to 2010, however, by showcasing vibrant flouncy purple skirts topped off with sky scraping sugarplum heels, satin strapless concoctions with A-line hems, and frothy wedding and ball gowns that would set the most seasoned socialite’s heart aflutter.
What to take away: Beauty maven Pat McGrath put her foot into creating delectably light yet pretty makeup looks for the show:
This spring, opt for a lovely sea foam eyeshadow set off by bold lashes, liquid liner, pale blush, and a neutral lip.
Givenchy:
House muse Ciara will find a lot to love in this tailored collection by Riccardo Tisci of Givenchy. Ostrich feathered sheer tops under close fit blazers shared the runway with intricate gathered cocktails, presenting a perfect selection for an ATL R&B girl who finds herself at many red carpet events. While some floor grazing pieces seemed more dowdy than daring, I could see Cici rocking variations of the house’s black pieces to high wattage Hollywood affairs.
What you can take away: Aside from the cute booties and thigh high shoes…
Expect the 2008 feather trend to make a comeback.
Chanel
Constantly charged with reinventing the Chanel wheel, Karl Lagerfeld took a turn towards tailoring, replacing the nubby skirts of the brand’s signature tweed suits with pleated shorts while amping up the look’s femininity with pastels like cotton candy pink, cornflower blue, and marigold yellow. Shards of silver accents on shoes, jackets, and metallic tights offered a sheen of progressive modernity in the midst of vintage inspired separates and throwback hairstyles. While tweed suits were the staple, the liquidy metallic creations towards the end cemented the show.
What to take away: Self proclaimed Chanel fan Beyonce will undoubtedly adopt those fingerless silver gloves and bracelets in a video, Lady Gaga will rock that heart shaped hairstyle, and I can’t wait to see which pop siren will be the first to try those baroque heeled shoes:
Valentino:
The movie Avatar’s influence was felt way beyond the box office, as designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli trotted out their space age tribal inspired visions in citron yellow, cherry red, and turquoise blue. If Zoe Saldana’s character Neytiri were going to the club, she’d surely choose one of the house’s wrapped, veiled, thigh grazing dresses and platform boots. The collection’s close fit black pants and daring makeup were definitely created to appeal to the brand’s younger set–the line will surely entice future customers thanks to its splashes of neon, metallic patterned leggings, and brash confidence.
What to take away: Get ready to re-adopt a Solange like war stripe, and be on the lookout for Rihanna in one of the more eye catching creations:
Jean Paul Gaultier:
Gaultier picked up where he left off at his last pret-a-porter show, beginning with head-to-toe denim embellished with rivets and tulle and moving on into evening gowns and smart suits decorated with feathers, leaves, and beads. With an eye towards evolution, Gaultier truly had fun with this collection, playing with fringed hems, exaggerated hips, and face plate adornments. While highly impractical, the looks were meant to inspire stylistas to go for bold in unique ways. The message: Don’t be afraid to wear bangles stacked up to your elbows, five rings on one hand, or a large, sun eclipsing sombrero.
What you can take away: Like Givenchy, feathers are fun, and bold, dramatic accessories are the rule, not the exception:
Which was your fave?
Check out our Couture Review from last season here or our review of Spring 2010 pret-a-porter here. All pictures from Style.com.
January 28, 2010 11:49 am
Wow. All of these collections are breathtaking. Christian Dior is my favorite. I love the romanticism. The ruffles, the scalloped edges, the nipped waists. Valentino is dope too. The eccentricity of the pieces are amazing. Even though they’re all very daring, it’s still very wearable.
January 28, 2010 12:31 pm
GREAT Post! My favorite is Valentino and that Gaultier! But all of them, really were quite intricate and interesting…except for maybe the classic suits of Chanel. Making a skirt into a “skort” or whatever does not mean haute couture! haha, but the last pieces in the metallics were cool.
January 28, 2010 2:37 pm
Love Valentino. Hate Chanel. Karl is getting old and it’s apparent. Those shorts are atrocious.
January 29, 2010 11:59 am
Good Post, Liked Givenchy the most. Never understood the obession with those boxed shaped Chanel jackets=boring!
January 29, 2010 12:04 pm
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January 29, 2010 5:02 pm
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January 30, 2010 9:40 pm
Love the John Galliano for Dior Couture.
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