FALL 2011 HAUTE COUTURE HIGHLIGHTS | PARIS

It takes a lot of visions, emotions and inspirations before a designer can create couture dresses. It is not couture if it isn’t a handmade, if it doesn’t look luxurious and if it doesn’t bring you to another world that once in a while you want to be part of. The modernity in couture is to be able to mix it with lifestyle (Ricardo Tisci, Givenchy). Givenchy’s collection went to the classic type of couture and Tisci’s concentration is on the pearls, crystals and caviar beads which turned out to be high-priced embellishments. Plastic zippers were also exhibited which I think the designer’s signature. One piece on his collection “was entirely sewn of symmetrically placed hand-cut silk tulle paillettes”. And it took 8 months to do it, so now; I can’t even picture what could be the cost and worth of it. His creations are the ones that I often admire, very unique and distinctive.

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For Valentino, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli wants the spectators to be on their dream. The Valentino women epitomized an aristocrat who has escaped from the Bolshevik revolution and moved to Paris (Max Sortino, vogue it). So you can imagine how elegant she is by becoming aware that her style is still connected to her land. The collection was full of timeless pieces that is really sensual and gave more a luxurious touch. Anne Hathaway was even hoping that “nobody went blind sewing that perfect lace.”

 Presenting a collection from the inspiration of Land of the Rising Sun; romanticism of flowers, blossom prints, leather obi belts and dozens of sculpture hats were in the lead for Giorgio Armani Privé. I actually love the fact that he wants to show his support for Japan in a more personal way. He is even supporting a UNESCO scholarship program to help the child victims of Japan’s earthquake and tsunami disaster. Clap clap clap for Mr. Armani!

Jean Paul Gaultier was inspired by Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake ballet so that made his show really spectacular and theatrical. One of the iconic piece that caught my attention is a classic trench coat becomes an evening gown in chiffon. Awesomness! Gaultier's longtime male muse Tanel swishing down the catwalk in a floor-length skirt of ostrich feathers would once have sent a shiver of deliciousness through the crowd (Tim Blanks).  And yes, haute couture for men was also present in the collection. I'm enthusiastically pleased. Very enchanting.

A new level of amazingness is set for Giambattista Valli. His first collection for Haute Couture was full of “precious pieces made unique by hand-made details and tailoring techniques.” It was a 1960's-inspired collection which paid tribute to the great couturiers of the past - “from Balenciaga to Givenchy, from Yves Saint Laurent to Valentino”.

I can feel the presence of Mademoiselle Coco Chanel on this collection. The double-breasted tweed jackets and the signature, masculine little hats embellished with feather and lace veil appliqué was really fascinating. Giving it a modern twist from Karl Lagerfeld was incredibly exceptional. Not to mention the show was inspired from the sci-fi classic movie Metropolis. The starry night was very romantic!