Let's Review Couture, Shall We?

As per my usual custom, I'm ready to offer you a full review of Paris Couture Week AKA The Greatest Fashion Event of the Year (after the Met Ball). Couture is my absolute favorite because it revives the fashion fantasy and reminds us why it's not all about spending money, but about dreams of luxury. This week, as I was watching Jean Paul Gaultier's couture show, my father stepped into my room and scoffed, asking me who would wear any of that? What did I answer? Probably no one. But then again, are museum artifacts for sale? Are they meant to be used in people's homes? No. They are works of art. Just like a painting, an Elie Saab Haute Couture gown is meant to be ogled at, admired, and analyzed. For the models on the runway, wearing these pieces is a dream, but in reality, that's all it's meant to be. People don't make art for money, but for the passion that flows through their veins. This year, we saw some beautiful tulle at Giambattista Valli, a brand new fur-based collection at Fendi courtesy of Karl Lagerfeld, and old school opulence at Valentino. My absolute favorites? Read more to find out.

NUMBER 5: ZUHAIR MURAD

What's not to love about Zuhair Murad? Some sparkle, some high slits, and deep Vs ideal for the J.Lo's of this world, Zuhair Murad fails to disappoint and always succeeds at making a woman feel glamorous. In his case, this collection is not only reserved for dreams, but for the celebrity Red Carpet. It's for the woman with a princess inside of her who wants to externalize her spectacular personality. This collection showcased some bright reds, turquoise, and the newly popular navy. It was sexy and showstopping so, if you're not a diva, you should probably search elsewhere for your next party dress.

My Favourite Look: 28

via style.com

NUMBER 4: SCHIAPARELLI

Nothing excites me more than the revival of an old house of couture from the times where fashion was just a burgeoning seed. Newly appointed Bertrand Guyon tried his hand at couture after the abrupt departure of Creative Director Marco Zanini and took us all back in time while adding a modern twist. There were midi skirts, plaid suits, and classic blouses for the career woman. Of course, there were also gowns fit for a queen topped with gold accessories for added drama. It may not have been from this time, but the nostalgia factor is exactly what made it special.

My Favourite Look: 15

via style.com

NUMBER 3: CHRISTIAN DIOR

Would it even be couture week without a breathtaking Dior show? Angelic white gowns, oversized cloaks, and sparkly dresses adorned this runway taken straight from your fantasies. It was a collection of dresses alone and projected a strong femininity and innocent sensuality. Let's not neglect to mention the beautiful set that served as a backdrop for the models. It was a fairtytale come alive with colours fit for a rendition of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. You just wanted to enter Raf's world and never leave.

My Favourite Look: 31

via style.com

NUMBER 2: GIAMBATTISTA VALLI

I absolutely ADORE Giambattista Valli. It's undeniable that the man knows how to perfectly correlate our girly side with our dark side by combining chunky platforms with florals and infinite tulle. This collection was all about female whimsy with round sunglasses being a focal point accentuated by colourful beads on the frames. Puffy skirts were also a big part of this collection whether on a mini dress or a gown and the pop colours made every piece come to life from the not-so-mellow yellow to a pretty coral. It was a wardrobe made for the flirtatious 17 year old or a young women with an affinity towards the Lolita look. Bravo, Valli.

My Favourite Look: 11

via style.com

NUMBER 1: Chanel

As if it wasn't obvious that Chanel would be the number one show at Couture Week. It may be a predictable choice, but somehow, Karl always delivers (whether he has one or two couture shows on his plate). While the luxurious furs at Fendi were fabulous, Chanel still reigns when it comes to couture. We were taken back to the days of Coco Chanel with elegant tweeds in a variety of cuts. The setting featured A-list celebrities playing poker center stage while models in cropped brown wigs and their best pastel tweeds walked around them. It wasn't all work and no play though, because at the end of the show, fluffy skirts and overpieces made their way down the runway to add some pizazz. Everything about the show screamed Parisian chic.

My Favourite Look: 53

via style.com

Which was your favourite this couture week? 

Ponder it,

Bella

Couture Week: A Whimsical Romance

As we enter Paris Couture Week, we're taken into a fantastical realm with a collection of dresses fit for a princess from a fairytale romance. As it ends slightly too quickly, we feel like we've reached the end of a tale as old as time and occasionally, we may shed a tear. The soft music pulls us into this world that has brought our vivid imaginations to life due to the creativity of some of our favourite designers. In many ways, Couture is better than Ready-to-Wear because it takes us back to the origins of fashion when that was all that existed and women dressed extravagantly every day. This year, we were taken back in time with Valentino, transported into a natural paradise with Chanel, caught in a maze of beautiful colours with Dior, immersed inside a world of romance with Giambattista Valli, and sprinkled with sparkle at Elie Saab. What did they all have in common? We could pictures ourselves in every outfit standing before our Prince Charming as he accosts us in his horse-drawn carriage. 
Let's review, shall we?

VALENTINO

From the braided updos to the frilly necklines, Valentino took us to another era, one more akin to Downton Abbey or The Knight's Templar. As usual, this collection was all about the elegance of the past with brocade prints, long hemlines, and peasant blouses. It was ladylike in an old-fashioned way that we wish still existed. Some velvet gowns stood out, particularly one in a rich red hue with a cape that added to its regal quality. Some subtle shades of beige were integrated to the collection, bringing us back to 19th century England, back when lovely maidens would frolic in the fields. A few romantic patterns were introduced as well on some of the final dresses, including flowers, clouds, and words from a love letter to Romeo. Evidently, these two designers were in a very nostalgic mood, longing for the golden days of romance before dating apps and hook-up culture ever existed.

My Favourite Look: 46

via style.com

CHANEL

Is there really a Couture show we look forward to more than Chanel? Probably not. We can always expect extravagance from Karl, something unusual that we never imagined possible. He dives into his imagination every year and stuns his audience with an awe-inspiring show. This year, that something was a garden of Eden of sorts with paper flowers in bright spring colours at the center of the runway. The show began with a young man in a straw hat watering this lovely garden as models in wide rim hats began to appear in bold shades of blue, yellow, and pink Chanel tweed. There were some beanies as well, but not the beanies we are accustomed to seeing on the streets of winter. These beanies were in pretty pale pink with a net to shield the eyes. What followed was a series of monochrome looks that took us back to the days of Coco, the woman who invented the LBD as we know it today. What was new? Some cropped blazers and blouses were a predominant look as well as an abundance of floral appliques, a popular style choice this season. Ruffles and sparkle were added to this feminine mix, making this collection the ultimate woman's dream. And of course, the show ended with a drool worthy wedding gown. Are you as smitten as I am?

Favourite Look: 38

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CHRISTIAN DIOR

This year, the Christian Dior collection consisted of the perfect combination of sexy, with thigh high patent leather boots in a variety of colours from blood red to mustard yellow, and ladylike, with A-line skirts taking us back to the New Look of yore. The vibrant prints came in a wilder form than usual with stripes and florals taking center stage as well as abstract head-to-toe whimsical looks in shades of orange, blue, and yellow. Regardless of the abundance of geometric prints, this collection kept the classic Dior silhouette intact with the full skirts of the 50's and the mini dresses of 60's splattered throughout the show. Bright shades of yellow, orange, and green emboldened this runway alive with artistic fervor. Let's not forget to mention the elaborate embroidery on many of these looks that teased the eyes and awakened all of our senses. Raf Simons may have taken a risk with this collection, but it was definitely a step in a more modern direction.

Favourite Look: 54

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ELIE SAAB

Whether you're a celebrity or a commoner (as I am), Elie Saab is every woman's Red Carpet dream. After all, who doesn't love beading and sparkle? Like at Chanel, we saw some bold floral prints, but this time, on sheer beige dresses. We were taken to an enchanted forest where you could feel the romance in the air, particularly with some of the final looks resembled water colour paintings, creating the illusion of a flower garden. As always, there were many dresses we'd love to see on celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Cate Blanchett at this year's Oscars. Lucky for us, the event is coming up in a few weeks and I can already envision a number of these pastel dresses making an appearance. With glamorous retro waves, some silver and some gold, as well as a few feathers, any of these looks would make for bold choices that can't go wrong. As usual, Elie Saab knows how to make women dream.

Favourite Look: 17

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GIAMBATTISTA VALLI

One of my own personal favourites, Giambattista Valli, never fails to impress. This season, he kept his feminine touch throughout the collection with his traditional pale pink, yellow, off-white, and black combo, while adding a little touch of darkness. With black hair nets, black bows, and sheer black skirts over black pants, this collection felt more like a dark fantasy in an enchanted forest of mystery. The full skirts, floral appliques, and flamboyant tulle, kept it girly and romantic as per Giambattista Valli's style. Even the soft french voice seduced us as we watched each model walk the runway in embroidered dresses with sheer paneling and frilly details. This designer proved that skirts over pants is the new normal and our traditional perception of the princess dress can be reshaped to suit our modern imagination. Pink fur, anyone? 

Favourite Look: 9

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These are some of my top picks for Paris Couture Week this year. Which shows were your favourites?

Ponder it,

XOXO,

Bella

Couture, Couture, Couture

When I go to bed at night, I don't see stars. I see couture. I know that sounds like a fashion girl's exaggeration, but I promise it's true. I fantasize about those beautiful gowns in fabrics nobody has ever seen all the time. I dream of Elie Saab lace, Giambattista Valli's architectural cuts, and that classic Chanel tweed with a Karl Lagerfeld twist. This season was no different. In case you missed it, here is the lowdown on five of my favourite shows from last week's couture extravaganza.

ZUHAIR MURAD

If only I were a wealthy celebrity walking down the Red Carpet every other day. Zuhair Murad brings back his classic evening gowns with even more glitter and sparkle than ever before. Despite his use of neutral colours, the embroidery and sheer panelling add intrigue to each look. This collection will inspire the dramatic diva with a glamorous edge who loves to stand out in a crowd. Halfway through the show, a panoply of colours mades their way down the runway, like a glowing rainbow of couture. Mesmerized? Me too. The wedding gown finale was nothing short of exceptional with a 5 meter long veil for extra dramatic flair.

Favourite Look: 1

Sexy, sparkling, and with a deep V that'll drop every jaw, this look was pure perfection.

CHRISTIAN DIOR

Full skirts, pretty pastels, floral prints. That basically sums up Dior Couture. Nostalgic of the days when the real Christian Dior was making gowns for our favourite retro Hollywood starlets, this collection was a vision of elegance and poise reminiscent of Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn. Raf Simons incorporated sophisticated floor-length coats (only meant for the classiest of women) with classic pants in bold colours and pretty minis for the young at heart. Nothing says chic quite like Dior, the brand that will stand the test of time.

Favourite Look: 4

Personally? I'm a sucker for a full feminine skirt and pointy-toe pumps. It also happens to be a popular look this season. Nothing like the original image of femininity to take us back to our roots.

ELIE SAAB

Who doesn't love an Elie Saab gown? Always present on the Red Carpet, these dresses only show how much Elie Saab knows about what women really want. It's all about lace, lace, lace. Though his collections often seem to blend into one another and verge on safe, they somehow still dazzle the eyes of every onlooker. Pretty gowns with classy fur throws in intricate fabrics that are almost indescribable adorned the couture runway. It was a like a fantasy come alive (as usual) and I wouldn't be surprised if one of these gowns made an appearance in the near future. Keep those eyes peeled.

Favourite Look: 22

Nothing says glamour quite like gold. This Elie Saab gown is living proof.

GIAMBATTISTA VALLI

Couture Week always brings out the most feminine side of all of us. With floral appliqués, sheer skirts, and 60's bandanas, Giambattista Valli is no different. I sense that those bandanas may become the accessory of the moment on the Red Carpet and I can't wait. Of course, the feathers and fur remind us that it's still a FALL collection, but the flowers say that spring is never far away. A grand finale of feathered frocks with structured tops in bright colours added pizzazz to this already marvellous show.

Favourite Look: 17

Everything about this look is beautiful from the full skirt to the floral appliqués at the bust to the bandana.

ARMANI PRIVE

Armani Prive was my ultimate favourite this season due to the elegance and class that characterized each look. Unlike most of the couture collections, Armani Prive featured more dark and mystical colours than pastels. With classic black and white ensembles, the look was very modern and sophisticated, displaying femininity in a very different way. Red was the dominant colour of choice and capes, the accessory of the moment. All of the coats in the collection were divine. From bell sleeves, to luxurious furs to tulle pieces, the coats were definitely eye-catching. If the outerwear wasn't mind blowing enough, Armani added some head Gatsby-like head coverings we'll all be lusting soon enough. At times, it felt a little like my 10th grade science fair project being manipulated by a master. Somehow, Armani made it work and transformed it into a beautiful couture collection.

Favourite Look: 3

I have a soft spot for capes in general, but this one is on my wish list.

All images taken from Style.com.

In case you missed it, all the shows are available on YouTube.

Happy Monday!

Bella