John Galliano may have showed couture for Christian Dior that was sumptuous, luxurious and full of glamour... but Karl Lagerfeld presented a couture collection for Chanel that was minimal, simple, and full of carefully crafted ethereal casual shapes. Without a bold colour to be found (or as Karl called them "violent colors"..!). You could not find more two different couture shows...
Chanel's story was a contrast in black and white (swan-inspired perhaps?), and you couldn't miss the pointed ballet flats on the models, or careful placement of tulle accents. There was a simple sweetness here, and fans of leggings will rejoice - every short skirt or tunic was paired with leggings or skinny pants.. with crystal-faceted buttons of course.
But the message is clear - for Chanel, this season's couture is delicate and light. The exquisite details of the crystal spiderweb jumpsuit is beyond compare.
Since Karl's inspiration was light & illumination, you can see thousands of twinkling crystal beads in the detail photos below..
And check out Diane Kruger & Alexa Chung, both in Chanel Couture Fall/Winter 2010, arriving at the show!
Read more: Paris Fashion Week: Chanel Haute Couture Spring 2011 - Twinkling & Ethereal
You might consider this the creme de la creme of Haute Couture - at Paris Fashion Week, John Galliano took Christian Dior back to the classics, as he unveiled a collection based on illustrations by René Gruau. Gruau was an Italian-born illustrator who collaborated with all the best fashion houses - Lanvin, Givenchy, Balenciaga and of course, Dior.
And this sumptuous Spring 2011 couture collection represented everything lush and elegant and fabulous that is high fashion. Gone was the sheer lightness of recent Dior couture, and back were the details and the dramatic accents that Galliano does so very well.. including lots of feathers (on dresses as well as on magnificent hats by Stephen Jones!).
Exaggerated waists, pencil skirts, layers of tulle, pleats and folds that defy gravity.. all in bold splashes of colour. This is haute couture at it's best - you can see details and craftsmanship that remind us what the ideal life of luxury in Paris would have been like in the 1940s.
Check out the stunning gallery, as well as the close-up photos! I'm sure any number of celebrities will be hoping to wear some of these dresses on the red carpet at the 2011 Academy Awards.
Read more: Paris Fashion Week: Christian Dior Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2011 - Dramatic Glamour
Paris Couture Week kicked off today, as the world's best couturiers gather to show off their latest creations full of exquisite details and stunning craftsmanship.
One of the youngest is Alexis Mabille - you might remember a willowy Keira Knightley wearing his cornflower blue dress to the London premiere of "The Duchess" (a highly searched-for look at the time). At only 34, he is one of a young breed of designers - a generation who has embraced the French tradition of couture.
His Spring/Summer 2011 couture show was filled with romance and white lace (no, you're not looking at a bridal collection!). Dresses were sprinkled with his now-signature bow, from a loosely tied belt to delicate chiffon ribbons tied at the shoulder. The focus of the collection was a minimal elegance, with applique & interwoven flowers reminding us of a white spring garden.
The only contrast was provided by primary colours - red, blue and black.
Check out the gallery below!
Read more: Paris Fashion Week: Alexis Mabille Spring/Summer 2011 Haute Couture - a romantic white garden
Designer: Nina Ricci
Collection: Paris Fashion Week - Spring/Summer 2011
Inspiration: Gorgeous bright colours, polished sophistication with all the right feminine touches
Celebrities who wear Nina Ricci: Carey Mulligan, Nicole Kidman
A collection full of bright colours and elegant sophistication - from a black & white suit paired with pink accessories (love the gloves!), to beautiful ruffled dresses in grey and white. Splashes of colour came in unusual combinations (pink and yellow) and blush may just be the new white next season.
The whites were bright and fresh, and anything but minimalist - layered ruffles, feathers and very feminine. Overall, the details were exquisite, check out this stunning pale pink raw-edged ruffled & silver sequined jacket.
Read more: Paris Fashion Week: Nina Ricci Spring/Summer 2011 - ruffles & sophisticated colour
Designer: Balmain
Collection: Paris Fashion Week - Spring/Summer 2011
Inspiration: Raw & edgy chic - surprisingly casual with lots of unique hardware
Celebrities who wear Balmain: Gemma Arterton, Sienna Miller, Ciara, Kate Moss
A harder edge this season with lots of cropped trousers, shorts, and safety-pin embellished jackets, when you combine this with the sounds of Sid Vicious singing Frank Sinatra on the catwalk, you definitely have a punk rock theme.
As with previous collections, the statement item remains the jacket - still strong, but with less emphasis on the shoulders. And gone are the heavy gold metallics of seasons past, replaced with splashes of black, red, white & denim blue.
Read more: Paris Fashion Week: Balmain Spring/Summer 2011 collection - casual but edgy punk
Designer: Christian Dior
Collection: Paris Fashion Week - Spring/Summer 2011
Inspiration: You might not be able to wash that man right out of your hair dressed like this!
Celebrities who wear Christian Dior: Marion Cotillard, Dita von Teese, Sharon Stone
Ahoy there, matey, how about this tropical South Pacific-inspired collection? A stunning array of blue, green, pink, orange, in an assortment of classic Dior shapes. Feminine and flirty with lots of floral prints and sheer fabrics with ruffles.
Jaunty sailor caps and gorgeous statement sandals with ribbons in fabulous colours. Speaking of colours, who needs to match in the summer sun? Anything goes.. the brighter the better..
Read more: Paris Fashion Week: Christian Dior Spring/Summer 2011 - nautical meets tropical
Designer: Lanvin
Collection: Paris Fashion Week - Spring/Summer 2011
Inspiration: Simple elegance with touches of draping, skin, hardware, and some very gorgeous fabrics
Celebrities who wear Lanvin: Janet Jackson, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jennifer Lopez
Something for everyone here - office elegance, cocktail & evening dresses, daytime chic, and even sundresses, all created with the simplicity that is the trademark of Lanvin (and Alber Elbaz).
Colours are on this side of dark - taupe, olive, dark brown, with splashes of contrasting brights (pink and brown is a stunning combination!). Embellishments are either overall or not at all.. but the hardware is strong and overt. I can't wait to see how long it takes one of his celebrity fans to wear the collection, I'm guessing it won't be long at all!
Read more: Paris Fashion Week: Lanvin Spring/Summer 2011 collection - modern, strong & chic
