COLLECTIONS

VALENTINO – PARIS FASHION WEEK SS12 COUTURE/ 26.01.12

The Valentino couture show in Paris today appeared influenced by eighteenth century elegance, featuring a collection of antique-inspired gowns in delicate, floral patterns. Sweeping, floor-length dresses began in sheer, translucent fabric that created a gentle, fragile style. Puffed capped sleeves with decorative frills gave a sense of youth and innocence to the collection.

 

The intricate design details were a highlight of the show, with meticulous rows of white spirals adorning hemlines and edges of shirts. Sheer sleeves extended to net gloves on dresses with decadent lace embroidery. The floral pattern continued on clutch bags with soft bows as traps, contributing further to the graceful style. Unconventionally, the outfits were accessorised with flat shoes, which added a light and tranquil atmosphere.

 

Image source: Style.com.

Posted by: Fay Morrow

JEAN PAUL GAULTIER – PARIS FASHION WEEK SS12 COUTURE/ 25.01.12

As a barbershop quartet sang a rendition of ‘Rehab’ in homage to the late Amy Winehouse, models walked the runway with glorious beehives and dark flicks of thick black eyeliner at the Jean Paul Gaultier couture show today. Variations of the muse’s favourite looks, polo shirts and pencil skirts, were featured alongside garments more typical to the designer’s trademark style such as thigh split, floor length satin skirts and corseted suit jackets.

 

The tone was brightened with bold blocks of colour. Powder blue and vivid red wigs complimented a palette of fluro orange, emerald green and bright pink that mixed to create vivacious, clashing outfits with plenty of character. The styles later became darker and more sultry, with sheer net veils sweeping over the face and body, paired with corsets, lace and coloured stockings.

 

Each extravagant look was styled and cleverly constructed to stand confidently alone, as well as being an integrated part of the collection. The looks were plentiful but remained concise in theme and style. The production felt incredibly powerful and, with such a poignant and stirring theme, this is sure to remain one of the most memorable and outstanding collections from this season’s shows.

 

Image source: Now Fashion.

 

Posted by: Fay Morrow

ELIE SAAB – PARIS FASHION WEEK SS12 COUTURE/ 25.01.12

The Elie Saab couture show was a vision of pastel colours, delicate embellishments and soft, elegant fabrics. Beginning with clean white styles and progressing on to light, spring tones, the collection was sectioned by colour and featured various silhouettes that were consistently graceful and immaculately constructed.

 

Full-bodied skirts sat alongside short cocktail dresses, all decorated with intricate beading or embroidered lace. Thin boleros capped the shoulders, looking fragile and precious in the delicate tones. Sleek, thin belts created nipped in waists to give a womanly silhouette in all of the looks. The final gowns came in a fondant, candy-floss pink and featured sheer chiffon skirts with floral decorations, ending in a feminine, fairy-tale style.

 

Image source: Now Fashion.

Posted by: Fay Morrow

RAMI AL ALI – PARIS FASHION WEEK SS12 COUTURE/ 25.01.12

The Rami Al Ali collection gave a highly creative, artistic view on couture design, with inventive use of fabric and inspired structural forms. Some of the materials used were firm and pliable, manipulated into magnificent curved shapes that emulated much softer textiles. Intricately cut patterns within the folds of paper-like fabric created looks that appeared evocative of origami.

 

In one of the most delicate gowns, cascades of pure white material so fine that the fragile edges looked like soft fur fell from beneath an intricately bejeweled bodice. A deep brown, woven structure created a firm crinoline style cage on another dress, with a soft, sheer skirt layered underneath to glisten through the holes in the weave. Whilst the architectural factors within this collection contributed interesting design elements, each luxurious gown still maintained an overall feeling of grace and elegance.

 

Image source: Now Fashion.

Posted by: Fay Morrow